Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles Softball Drops Opening Game of NCCAA Mideast Region

Oakland City, IN: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles (11-32) opened play in the NCCAA Mideast Regional Tournament on May 8^th as they faced the homestanding Oakland City Lady Oaks (22-19) in Game 1.

 For the day, the Lady Eagles would hang tough, but one crucial inning proved deadly and caused them to go down to defeat by the deceptive score of 16-6.

May 8th

OCU-16; Alice Lloyd-6

The Hoosier club rode a massive fifth inning to blow the contest open and take the win.

OCU actually batted first and would plate two scores on the strength of a single and fielder's choice (2-0). Fortunately, the Pippa Passes squad responded quickly.

In the bottom of the first, ALC struck when Aspyn Branham (3B) lined a sacrifice fly for the first score (2-1).  Maleigh Mcdaniel (P) then tied the contest with a single up the middle (2-2).

Later, after advancing to third, Mcdaniel would race home on an error to give the Bluegrass ladies the lead at 3-2. Finally, Baylee Cox (RF) closed the inning with a looping single to dead center, and the Caney Creek crew suddenly led 4-2.

OCU would respond in the third with four of their own, as they utilized a pair of singles, a stolen base, and a sacrifice to sprint ahead 6-4. Once more, ALC would fight back.

In the bottom of the third, Mcdaniel would score once again on a throwing error (6-5). The Lady Eagles then knotted the match at 6-6 when Rachel Rife (LF) promptly singled to center, to drive home Chloe Taylor (SS).

In the fourth, a single from the Lady Oaks gave their squad a slim 7-6 cushion. Little did anyone realize that the game was getting ready to explode in favor of the hosts.

In the top of the fifth, the Indiana squad unleashed four big doubles and a pair of singles to blow the contest open. When the third out was finally registered, Oakland City held a staggering 16-6 advantage. The game would then quickly end in the bottom of the inning.

At the plate, Mcdaniel and Alexis Morris (2B) each went 2-3, with Branham, Mcdaniel, Cox, and Rife registering RBIs.

On the mound, Mcdaniel suffered the loss. In 4.1 innings of work, she allowed an uncharacteristic 16 hits and 13 earned runs. Kursten Napier faced the final 0.2 innings and gave up 2 hits and 3 runs. She had the only strikeout on the day.

The victors won the hitting battle, 18-8, but ALC did themselves no favors with 4 crucial errors.

ALC will now face top-seeded Kentucky Christian University (who were also knocked off by OCU, 5-2) Tuesday at noon. The winner of that matchup will then face the unbeaten Indiana club once more, while the loser is out of the tournament.