March 31, 2012

Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS - Lauren Zaworski's grand slam in the fifth inning capped Loyola University Chicago's (9-13, 3-2 Horizon) rally from a 4-0 deficit in a come-from-behind, 5-4 victory in game two of a doubleheader against host Butler (8-21, 2-3 Horizon) this afternoon. The Ramblers dropped the opener, 2-0.

Loyola trailed 4-0 after three innings of play before rallying in the fifth. Brooke Andresen's single to right brought home Lauren Arceneaux, who had reached on a one-out walk, to put the resilient Ramblers on the board. After Lauren Moore reached on a Butler error, one out later Zaworski mashed her first career grand slam over the left field fence to cap an amazing comeback.

Keali Engelkens was masterful in relief, picking up her third win of the year, by tossing 3.0 innings of one-hit ball, while fanning four Bulldogs.

Seven Ramblers recorded at least one hit in the nightcap, with Arceneaux going 2 for 3 out of the leadoff spot in the order.

In the opener, Butler starter Jenny Esparza stymied the Rambler offense, allowing only three hits in a pitcher's duel with Loyola's Amanda Ciran. The game was scoreless through four and a half innings until Kayla Green's RBI single plated Erin Falkenberrry to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. Butler added an insurance run in the sixth on Lauren McNulty's run-scoring double.

Loyola mounted a rally against Esparza in the top of the seventh when Moore and Tarran Shaffer reached on consecutive two-out singles, but Esparza was able to retire Zaworski to end the threat.

Ciran was impressive in the circle for the Ramblers, tossing 6.0 innings, while giving up just four hits and striking out three.

The teams conclude the three-game weekend series with a single contest tomorrow at noon Eastern.