April 28, 2011

Box Score

DeKALB, Ill. - Squandered scoring chances early in the game ultimately doomed Loyola University Chicago (22-21) in a 4-0 loss at Northern Illinois (22-20) in the nightcap of a doubleheader tonight at Mary M. Bell Field. The Ramblers have now dropped three straight contests after winning six in a row.

Starting pitchers Brittany Gardner and Nicole Gremillion engaged in a battle in the first three innings of the game, though the Ramblers did manage to put several runners on base early. After stranding a pair of runners in the first inning, Loyola had a golden scoring opportunity in the second inning after Stevie Bradich and Carly Benford singled with one out. One out later, Lauren Arceneaux was intentionally walked to load the bases, but Gremillion escaped without harm to keep the game scoreless.

Northern Illinois finally broke through against Gardner in the bottom of the fourth when Alexandra Wulbecker doubled in a run for a 1-0 Huskies lead. NIU would added two more runs in the fifth and another in the sixth for a 4-0 lead and Gremillion would go on to set down the final 10 Ramblers she faced as the Huskies claimed their third straight win.

Benford went 2 for 3 to lead the Loyola offense, while Gardner allowed only two earned runs and struck out seven in 6.0 innings of work.

Loyola hosts Butler in a pivotal three-game series this weekend, beginning with a doubleheader on April 30.