May 9, 2008

Box Score

CHICAGO - Sophomore Amy Solava threw a complete game and hit a game-winning two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to lead No. 4 seed Loyola University Chicago (20-24-1) to a 2-1 victory over Butler (17-29) in an elimination game in the Horizon League Championship at Loyola Softball Park this afternoon.

On a brisk, overcast afternoon, neither team was able to generate much offense despite numerous scoring chances. Butler got on the board first thanks to a solo home run that just snuck inside the foul pole down the left field line off the bat of Jenny Jacobs in the fourth inning.

It looked like that run might be enough for the seventh-seeded Bulldogs as the Ramblers left a total of eight runners on base, all through the first five innings. Stephanie Cihlar singled to third base with one out in the sixth inning to ignite Loyola's rally and Solava followed with her two-run shot over the fence in center field to give the Ramblers a 2-1 lead.

Butler mounted one final threat in the top of the seventh when Jen Arriaga singled to left with two outs, but Solava got Alex Boros to pop up to end the game and keep the Ramblers' title hopes alive.

Cihlar went 2 for 3 and Nora Schober swiped three bases to lead the Loyola offense. Solava scattered five hits and struck out six, while allowing only one earned run to pick up her 14th win of the year.

Loyola will face the winner of the Valparaiso - Green Bay game tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. at Loyola Softball Park.