May 7, 2009

Box Score

PENDLETON, Ind. - Fourth-seeded Loyola University Chicago (27-22) belted three home runs in the first inning to build an early lead and roll to an 8-0 victory over No. 9 Detroit (7-41) in five innings at the Horizon League Championship this afternoon. With the win, the Ramblers advance in the winner's bracket where they will face No. 3 seed Wright State tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Fresh off earning All-Newcomer Team honors last night, freshman third baseman Lauren Arceneaux got the Ramblers' offense rolling right off the bat as she belted a lead-off home run to left field in the bottom of the first. Also following with solo shots in the first inning for Loyola was Jenna Grim and Amy Solava, to help the Ramblers to an early 3-0 lead.

After adding another run to its lead in the second inning, the Ramblers put the contest out of reach with a four spot in the fourth. Three consecutive singles with one out loaded the bases for shortstop Haley Ambrosch who ripped a single down the left-field line to score Arceneaux and Stephanie Cihlar. A pair of throwing errors by Titans pitcher Jill Perry led to two more runs for Loyola in the fourth inning stretching the lead to 8-0.

Right-hander Krista Crosson tossed five shutout innings, scattering four hits while striking out five en route to her 12th victory of the year. Seven Ramblers accounted for 12 total hits off of two Detroit pitchers on the day, with Arceneaux registering a 3-for-3 performance. Jenna Grim, Amy Solava and Angie Funston tallied two hit apiece.