April 26, 2011

Box Score

CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago (22-19) had several scoring chances but was unable to come up with a key hit with runners in scoring position as host DePaul (29-11) picked up a 4-0 victory this afternoon at Cacciatore Stadium. The loss snaps the Ramblers' six-game winning streak.

Loyola stranded 10 runners on base in the game and left two runners on base in the second, third, sixth and seventh innings, unable to come up with a clutch hit when runners were in scoring position.

The Ramblers appeared poised for a big first inning when Lauren Arceneaux drew a lead-off walk, then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Jenna Grim got hit by a Kirsten Verdun pitch to give Loyola runners at first and second, but after Jacqueline Grim smoked a single back up the middle, both Arceneaux and Jenna Grim were tagged out in a baserunning snafu to end the threat.

DePaul got to Loyola starter Brittany Gardner for a pair of unearned runs in the third inning for all of the offense it would need on a windy spring day. Verdun's two-out triple to left field scored Sean Plese and Samantha Dodd followed with an infield single to bring home Verdun and make it 2-0 Blue Demons.

DePaul tacked on two insurance runs in the fourth inning to open up a 4-0 lead and Loyola was unable to capitalize on any of its scoring chances in the game's final three innings.

Arceneaux continues to scald the softball batting out of the lead-off spot in the order and went 2 for 3 with a walk today, while swiping a pair of bases and also reaching on an error.

Loyola looks to get back on the winning track when it travels to Northern Illinois on Thursday, April 28, for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.