April 18, 2009

Box Score

CHICAGO - Alexandra Trudnich hit a three-run home run but it wasn't enough to rally Loyola University Chicago (20-17, 8-5 Horizon) as Butler (19-22, 8-7 Horizon) earned a 5-3 victory this afternoon in game one of a doubleheader at Loyola Softball Park. The loss sends the Ramblers to their fifth setback in a row.

The game was a pitcher's duel through the first three innings until Alyssa Coleman doubled with the bases loaded to score a pair of runs and give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead. Butler stretched the lead to 5-0 in the sixth inning when Bridget Paine scored on an error after a single by Erin Falkenberry and Lauren McNulty later smacked a two-run homer.

Loyola rallied with two outs in the bottom of the sixth when Lauren Arceneaux began the rally by reaching on an error. Following a walk to Stephanie Cihlar, Trudnich belted her third homer of the year, a three-run shot to left, to cut the Ramblers' deficit to 5-3.

From there however, Butler starter Breanna Fisher set the Ramblers down in order over the final inning and a third as the Bulldogs held on for the win.

Kristen Medrud went 2-for-3 to lead the Loyola offensive attack.