March 24, 2010

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

CHICAGO - Loyola failed to capitalize on early chances and No. 18 Illinois scored seven runs in the last two innings of both games to earn a doubleheader sweep (11-3, 10-2) of the Ramblers this afternoon at Loyola Softball Park. The Ramblers drop to 6-10 with the losses while Illinois moves to 23-3 with the two wins.

Illinois jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening game with a pair of runs in the third inning. Loyola left runners in scoring position in both the second and third frames before getting on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Angie Funston started the rally with a one-out single and moved to second on a passed ball. Jacqueline Grim then ripped one down the third-base line that hit the glove of a diving third basemen to score Funston all the way from second, making it a 2-1 game.

Hollie Pinchback slugged a two-run homer in the top of the fifth to give Illinois a 4-1 lead but Loyola battled right back. Ellen Kresl was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the fifth, stole second and went to third on a throwing error by the Illinois catcher. Kristen Medrud followed with a walk and pinch-runner Carly Benford promptly stole second to give the Ramblers runners at second and third with nobody out. However, after a strike out, Stephanie Cihlar lined one right at the Fighting Illini third baseman, who threw to third to double off Kresl to end the threat.

The Illini tacked on four in the top of the sixth and three in the seventh before the Ramblers tallied two in the bottom of the seventh, both coming on wild pitches.

The second game took on a similar pattern, as Loyola wasted a leadoff triple in the first inning and could not a plate a run after Arceneaux made it to third with just one out in the second. Illinois got on the board with three in the top of the third before the Ramblers got on the board in the fourth, as Arceneaux drove one over fence in left field for a two-run shot. Medrud and Cihlar followed with singles and both moved up on a wild pitch, giving LU a chance at a big inning. However, a pair of strikeouts thwarted the rally and Illinois was able to put the game away with four runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh.

Jacqueline Grim and Funston had a pair of hits each in the opening game while Arceneaux rapped out a pair of safeties in the nightcap.

Loyola hits the road this weekend when it opens up Horizon League play with a three-game set at Butler, starting with a Saturday afternoon doubleheader.