ALC Softball runs win streak to 10 games; sweep  Johnson & Wales and Johnson C. Smith

Charlotte, NC: The Alice Lloyd Lady Eagles softball squad journeyed to the Tar Heel state to face a pair of NCAA DIII squads, the Johnson C Wales Wildcats (5-12) and the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls (4-18). The Bluegrass bombers played well and left North Carolina with four victories to run their record to 19-11. They go into spring break on a 10-game winning streak.

March 13th

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-11: Johnson &Wales-4

The Lady Eagles jumped out of the gates well and took the series opener.

The scoring opened in the second when ALC combined five singles with a triple from Brooke Baker (SS) to plate 6 big runs and jump ahead 6-0.

The Wildcats earned a run back in the same inning, aided by an Eagle error (6-1). Happily, the Kentucky kids would quickly make amends.

In the third, the Caney Creek crew would line a trio of singles, plus nice doubles by Jordan Rakes (LF) and Arin Rife (1B), to produce five more scores. By the time the dust settled, Alice Lloyd led 11-1.

Although Wales would use a pair of hits to produce 3 runs in the fifth (11-4), the Pippa Passes posse would allow 0 hits in the final two innings to ice the victory

At the plate, Rife and Mackinzie Newport (CF) led the way, going 3-4 with the bat. Mckenzie Orfield (3B) drove in 3 RBI's, while Baker added 2.

.Kinna Justice started and took the complete game shutout, allowing 7 hits and 4 runs (3 earned runs), with 2 strikeouts. 

The Lady Eagles won the hitting-battle, 14-7 and committed less errors, 2-1.  

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd-10: Johnson &Wales-1 (Six Innings)

ALC controlled the contest from the start to earn the sweep.

The Bluegrass bunch sprinted ahead in the opening inning. After Rakes and Orfield both drew walks, Rife promptly unloaded on a fast ball and rocketed it over the fence, 3-0.

After the Tigers made a run back in the same inning with a single (3-1), the Kentucky Colonels responded once again.

In the second, ALC scored a quick run on a wild pitch (4-1), then loaded the bases. This brought Baker to the bag and she promptly cleared them with a blast over the left field wall. This gave the blue and white a huge 8-1 cushion.

In the fourth, a flurry of singles gave the Caney Creekers another score (9-0). They then closed out the scoring in the fifth with a sacrifice fly (10-1), and swiftly closed out the game from there.

Katie Deeds (1B) went 3-3 to lead at the plate while Rife and Baker provided the 4-baggers. Baker and Shana Ray (RF) both added a pair of hits.

On the mound, Rife tossed a 4-hitter. In five innings of work, she gave up 4 hits, and 1 run with 6 K's.

The Eagles led in hits (11-4) in the error-free game.

March 14^th

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-4: Johnson C. Smith-2

A new day and new opponent brought the same results as the previous day, much to the enjoyment of the visitors.

In their first at-bat, the Creekers opened with a pair of singles, then saw both race home on Rakes double (2-0). She then scored herself on Baker's single, 3-0.

The scoreboard remained the same until the fourth when JS smacked a grounder to produce a score, 3-1. However, the visitors earned it right back in the sixth, when, after Orfield walked and later advanced to third, Baker slapped a grounder to deliver the score, 4-1.

The Golden Bulls managed some drama in the sixth, as they loaded the bases with two outs. Fortunately, a single would only produce a run, as a great play at the plate provided the third out (4-2).

The Carolina crew then went down in order in their final at-bat to reward "The Pass".

 At the plate, Rife, Newport, Deeds, Rakes, and Baker had 1 hit each, while Rife and Baker both delivered 2 RBIs.

Justice was in fine form on the mound, once again, as she went 5 innings, allowing only 5 singles and 2 runs with 5 strikeouts. 

The clubs tied in the hitting-battle, 5-5, and ALC played error-free ball.  

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd-2: Johnson C. Smith-0

ALC completed their productive trip with a hard-fought shutout victory in a true pitchers-duel.

For six innings, both pitchers were in command as each squad only had 2 hits. Finally, in the seventh, ALC broke through.

In the seventh, Orfield led off with a single, and made her way to third. Baker then laced a single to break the ice, 1-0. Then after a long fly ball, Baker was able to race home on the throw for a massive insurance run. The Lady Eagles now led, 2-0.

In the bottom of the inning, JC Smith was mowed down, without a hit, gifting another sweep to a a happy bunch of Caney Creekers.

Newport, Rakes, Baker, Orfield, and Chloe Taylor led the way with 1 hit apiece while Baker delivered the games only RBI.

On the mound, Rife was exceptional, tossing a 3-hit shutout with 0 walks and 6 strikeouts.

The Eagles led in hits once again (5-3) but did commit 1 error.