Feb. 21, 2009

Box Score

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Malisa Barnes doubled home Colleen Conway with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift Minnesota (7-7) to a 1-0 victory over Loyola University Chicago (1-2) this morning at the Islander Invitational hosted by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The Ramblers have dropped their last two contests since opening the season with a victory over Pittsburgh yesterday afternoon.

Loyola starter Amy Solava was masterful at working her way out of trouble for the majority of the game, as she stranded two Gophers on base in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Her counterpart, Briana Hassett, held the Ramblers without a hit until Kaycee Tharp singled up the middle with one out in the top of the sixth inning.

Without much offense through the first six innings, both teams provided plenty of drama in the seventh. Stephanie Cihlar led off the top of the frame with a single, but was forced out at second on Angie Funston's sacrifice attempt. Pinch hitter Stevie Bradich reached on an infield single giving the Ramblers runners at first and second with one out, but the rally was squelched when Funston was thrown out trying to steal third and Hassett struck out Solava.

Minnesota rode that momentum into the bottom of the inning. Conway reached on a fielder's choice and moved into scoring position on a passed ball to set up Barnes' heroics.

The Ramblers managed three hits, all singles, on the day, and only one of their 14 hits so far this season has gone for extra bases. Solava yielded six hits and only one run in a tough-luck defeat.

Loyola continues play at the Islander Invitational this afternoon when it meets Dayton at 3 p.m.