May 12, 2011

Box Score

CHICAGO - Second-seeded Valparaiso (33-20-1) scored three runs in the third inning and made that hold up en route to a 4-1 victory over No. 1 seed Loyola University Chicago (26-26) in a Horizon League Championship elimination game at Loyola Softball Park this afternoon.

The Crusaders tallied three runs on four hits in the top of the third inning to break a scoreless tie and take command of the game. KC Boldt's run-scoring single put Valpo on the board first and two batters later, Sadie Conner delivered a two-run base hit to give the Crusaders a 3-0 lead.

Valparaiso starter Sam McGee made that lead hold up and kept the Loyola offense in check, scattering five hits on the day.

Trailing 4-0, Loyola mounted one last-ditch rally in the seventh inning when Lauren Moore led off with a single and later in the frame, pinch runner Lauren Zaworski scored on Jenna Grim's groundout. However, that was all the offense the Ramblers could muster against McGee as they saw their season come to an end.

Loyola wraps up the season with 26 wins and captured its fifth Horizon League regular-season title in the last 11 years.

Olivia Bell tallied two hits to lead the Loyola offense and freshman Keali Engelkens allowed only one earned run in 4.1 innings of relief.

Valparaiso will play Cleveland State tomorrow morning at 11 a.m.