ALC Softball takes pair against Bluefield Rams

Bluefield, VA: The Alice Lloyd Lady Eagles (24-12) softball squad returned to the diamond on April 7^th as they traveled to Virginia to battle the Bluefield University Rams (7-29). After the final out was registered, the Bluegrass bunch would head home with a solid sweep.

April 7th

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-10: Bluefield-4

The Lady Eagles fell behind early before unleashing a big rally in the latter innings to take the opener.

The hosts opened the first inning with an RBI single (1-0).  They would hold it until the fourth inning.

In the top of the fourth, ALC's Chloe Taylor (2B) connected on a fast ball and drove it over the right field wall. Now the score was tied, 1-1.

In the fifth, ALC would get a gift run on a Ram error, then add some insurance on a sacrifice grounder. Now, "The Pass" led 3-1.

In the sixth, Lady Eagle Mackenzie Newport (CF) laced a single to drive in a teammate (4-1). Bluefield then committed a big error which permitted Newport to scamper home with her squads fifth run (5-1).

BU responded in the bottom half by combining a double and single to plate a trio of runs. Suddenly, heading into the final inning, the deficit had shrunk to one, 5-4.

Happily, in the seventh, the Pippa Passes posse would respond. The blue and white managed to combine a pair of singles, a big triple from Kinna Justice, and error from Bluefield to roll out a windfall of 5 runs. Now, the visitors led 10-4.

From there, ALC would retire Bluefield in order to clinch the victory.

At the plate, Newport led the way by finishing 3-5 with 2 RBIs.Taylor delivered the homerun. while Justice smoked a triple

Justice started on the mound and took the victory. In 5.2 innings she allowed 7 hits and 3 runs with 2 strikeouts and 1 walk. 

Arin Rife came on and took the save. In 1.1 innings of work, she whiffed 3 of 4 batters she faced, with 0 hits.

The squads tied in hits, 7-7, but the Kentucky kids were aided by 4 Ram errors.

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd-3: Bluefield-2

ALC jumped ahead out of the gate and held on to earn the sweep.

The visitors pulled ahead in their opening at bat, sparked by a Mckenzie Orfield (SS) double and Brooke Baker (C) single (2-0).

The status-quo remained until the fourth. In that inning, the Lady Eagles would receive a deep sacrifice fly from Taylor to gain an insurance score, 3-0. They would need it.

In the Bluefield sixth, after placing a pair of runners on the basepaths and aided by a trio of Eagle errors, a well-placed single down the line made the score 3-2. From there, the match remained unchanged until the last at-bat.  

Finally, the contest would come reach the bottom of the seventh. Although Bluefield would add some drama by smacking a two-out double, a harmless grounder to the shortstop would hand the "W" to the ladies from the Bluegrass State.

At the plate, Orfield went 2-3 with 2 runs to pave the way. She would also join Taylor and Baker by driving in 1 RBI.

On the mound, Rife tossed a complete game 5-hitter.to seal the deal. She impressed, allowing 0 walks, and 0 earned runs. She struck out 9 Lady Rams.