May 2, 2009

Box Score

DETROIT - After failing to score more than three runs in a game since April 8, the Loyola University Chicago (25-22, 13-10 Horizon) offense broke out of its month-long slump in a big way, pounding out 31 hits and scoring 21 runs en route to a doubleheader sweep at Detroit (7-39, 3-16 Horizon) at Buysse Ballpark today. After posting a 12-4 victory in six innings in the opener, the Ramblers rallied from a 6-0 deficit to record a 9-8 decision in the nightcap.

Everything clicked at the plate for Loyola in game one as all nine starters recorded at least one hit and the team banged out 18 hits, its most since an 18-hit barrage on April 21, 2002, and scored its most runs since May 4, 2008.

The Ramblers opened the scoring with a five-run second inning and never looked back en route to their first run-rule victory of the season. Haley Ambrosch led off the second with a triple down the left field line and Kristin Guska immediately followed with a run-scoring single to plate Ambrosch. Two outs later, Amy Solava delivered a RBI single and Kristen Medrud followed with a two-run single while Stephanie Cihlar scored before Medrud was caught in a rundown.

Detroit got within three runs (5-2) thanks to a two-run homer by Kristin Sclater in the bottom of the second, but the Ramblers would counter with three more runs in the third, two of which scored on a single by Solava.

Loyola added a pair of runs in the fourth on Jenna Grim's two-run homer and finished off the offensive explosion with two more runs, courtesy of a two-run single off the bat of Alexandra Trudnich, in the sixth inning.

Ambrosch went 3-for-3 with a triple and a pair of runs, while Solava also enjoyed a 3-for-3 day, while adding a double and three RBIs. Grim and Medrud each recorded a pair of hits and two RBIs.

Detroit seemed to have game two under control after scoring two runs in the first inning, then adding four more in the third, to open up a sizable 6-0 advantage. Undaunted, the Ramblers began to chip away at the deficit in the third inning, getting a run closer on Grim's second homer of the day and her fourth in the last seven games.

A five-run fifth inning helped Loyola tie the game, with Cihlar delivering a two-run single to start the onslaught. Ambrosch's sacrifice fly brought Loyola within two runs, and Medrud later connected for a RBI single and Grim came around to score the tying run on a Titans error.

The host Titans seized momentum back in the bottom half of the inning though, and took an 8-6 advantage as Ellen Sinclair and Sclater each belted solo home runs in the frame.

Loyola showed its mettle and got a run back in the sixth, doing all the damage with two outs. Lauren Arceneaux, who reached on a double, came around to score on another Detroit defensive miscue to bring the Ramblers within a run, at 8-7.

That set the stage for some last at-bat heroics from the Ramblers, who won for only the second time this season when trailing after six innings. Ambrosch led off the inning with a single and later scampered home on a throwing error to tie the game and Angie Funston's bunt single later in the inning sent pinch runner Ellen Kresl scurrying across the plate to put Loyola ahead, 9-8.

Senior Krista Crosson, who picked up her career-best 11th win of the year, retired the Titans in order in the seventh to preserve the win.

Arceneaux went 3-for-5, scored a pair of runs, and had a double to lead the Loyola offense, which totaled 13 hits, and capitalized on four Detroit errors. Cihlar, Grim and Medrud notched a pair of hits apiece in the nightcap.

Loyola and Detroit conclude the regular season with a single game tomorrow at noon Eastern.