Lady Eagle Softball Stifles Johnson University
Knoxville, TN: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles softball team journeyed to Knoxville on February 22nd to face the home-standing Johnson University Lady Royals in a softball doubleheader for the second time this season. The following are recaps of each contest.
GAME 1
ALC – 5 | JU – 4
Coach Nathan Halls Lady Eagles came from behind in dramatic fashion and held on to earn the opening victory.
The visitors would register one hit in each inning from the second through the sixth, but they were unable to plate any runners. In the meantime, JU scored 4 runs during that span and held a solid 4-0 advantage heading into the final inning. They appeared in full command.
Miraculously, ALC battled back. First, back-to-back singles were followed by a big double from junior Mercedez Gilliam that scored one run. Next, junior Jada Estep smashed a triple to the wall that scored two more (4-3). Freshman Lyndsey Adkins then came through with a single to tie the contest at 4-4. Later, with two outs, junior Morgan Robinson delivered another clutch hit to drive in the go-ahead run. When the dust had settled, ALC led 5-4. With the momentum now completely reversed, freshman pitcher Kursten Napier than stuck out the side as the dugout exploded for the victorious Eagles.
For ALC, sophomore Alyssa Clark was a perfect 4-4, while Gilliam and sophomore Abby Stambaugh both added 2 hits Estep provided 2 RBI’s. Napier earned the victory on the mound for Alice Lloyd. She allowed 9 hits while whiffing 5 batters.
The Eagles won the hitting battle, 12-9.
GAME 2
ALC – 15 | JU – 5
ALC welded the big bats as they earned the sweep.
The Lady Eagles jumped out of the gates as they produced 4 runs in the third behind three doubles. One inning later, an Estep triple and Clark double scored 2 more (6-0). They added 3 more runs, in the fifth, on 3 singles and senior Samantha Sturgill’s double.
JU earned five of those back over the next two innings before ALC unloaded for 6 huge runs in the seventh to blow the game away. Five singles and two errors led to the blowout inning.
For the Eagles, Adkins had 4 hits while Sturgill had 3. Both ladies drove in 3 runs apiece. Estep, Clark, and Stambaugh all added 2 hits to the cause. On the mound, sophomore Haley Howell and Napier only allowed 5 runs and combined for 5 strikeouts.
Alice Lloyd won the hitting battle 17-14 and had 5 doubles and 1 triple.