May 7, 2011

Box Score

DETROIT - Freshman Brittany Gardner pitched a one-hitter and received backing from an offense that pounded out 17 hits as the Loyola University Chicago (24-24, 14-7 Horizon) softball team rolled to a 10-0 victory over Detroit (7-35, 2-18 Horizon) in game one of a doubleheader this afternoon at Buysse Ballpark. The Ramblers scored in all but two innings and managed at least two runs in four frames to put an end to a two-game losing streak.

Loyola wasted no time in taking control of the contest, scoring a pair of runs in the first inning to provide Gardner with all of the support she would need. The lefthander has been simply spectacular in her last five starts, allowing only three runs and six hits, while striking out 43. This afternoon, Gardner matched a season high with 11 strikeouts, marking the third straight outing she has mowed down 11 batters.

After the Ramblers added to their lead thanks to Olivia Bell's RBI single in the third inning, second baseman Brooke Andresen crushed a two-run homer, her third of the spring, in the top of the fourth to give Loyola a comfortable 5-0 edge.

Loyola tacked on two more runs in the fifth, then hung three more runs on the board in the seventh, with the big blow coming in the form of a two-run single off the bat of Jacqueline Grim.

Five Ramblers registered at least two hits on the day, with Andresen going 4 for 5 with three runs scored, a homer, two doubles, three RBI and a stolen base. Lauren Arceneaux, Jenna Grim, Bell, and Steve Bradich tallied two hits apiece, with Bradich also scoring three times.

Gardner allowed only a first-inning double first baseman Sara Cupp, then held the Titans without a hit the remainder of the contest en route to her 13th win of the year. She needs one more victory to equal the Loyola single-season record for a freshman.