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Missed Opportunities Prove Costly as Loyola Drops Pair of One-Run Games at UIC
4/10/2004
Tara Miller had three hits in Loyola's doubleheader at UIC |
Chicago (April 10, 2004) - Loyola stranded 21 runnrers on base as it dropped a pair of heartbreaking games to Illinois-Chicago at Flames Field this afternoon. With the losses, the Ramblers saw their losing skid reach a season-worst five games. UIC pulled out a 3-2 victory in game one before hanging on for a 4-3 decision in the nightcap.
Right-hander Lindsey LaChiana was the hard-luck loser in game one as she scattered five hits and allowed just one earned run while striking out four Flames. The Ramblers' offense, despite managing nine hits, could not come through in the clutch as LU stranded 13 runners on base. Loyola left the bases loaded in the third, fourth and fifth innings.
The Ramblers drew first blood as Keilah Williams drew a bases loaded walk to score Natalie Martin, who had reached on a double as LU claimed a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning. UIC evened the score in the fourth on Nicole Shepard's RBI single which scored Amanda Rivera.
After UIC claimed the lead with two runs in the fifth, Becky Marx delivered an RBI single in the sixth to cut the deficit to 3-2. Loyola mounted one final rally in the seventh inning. Raven Gengler, who went 2 for 3, ripped a double to center field that landed just shy of the wall, with one out. However, Alycia Creese came on in relief for the Flames to kill the rally and hand Loyola the loss.
Seven of Loyola's nine starters managed hits in game one as Gengler and Tricia Oberhaus tallied a pair of hits apiece.
In game two, Loyola again struck first, this time as Sarah Lamkin stroked an RBI single with two outs to score Oberhaus, in the second inning. UIC evened the score in the bottom of the second on Emily Stoddard's RBI single, then took a 3-1 lead thanks to Rivera's two-run home run over the wall in left field.
Mia Pangere helped her cause by ripping a two-run triple over the head of center fielder Cameron Astiazaran to tie the game at 3-3. Astiazaran doubled off the center field fence to drive in Joyce Cathey as the Flames gained a 4-3 edge they would never relinquish.
Loyola left eight runners on base and committed three errors in the loss. Tara Miller and Gengler had two hits each in the nightcap.
The Ramblers look to bounce back when they travel to Northwestern on April 13.
