March 4, 2012

Box Score

TULSA, Okla. - Catie Cozart went 2 for 4 with three RBI to lead Austin Peay (6-7) to an 8-1 victory over Loyola University Chicago (0-5) in the consolation game of the Hyatt Downtown Tulsa Tournament this morning at Collins Softball Complex. The loss sends the Ramblers to their fifth straight defeat to open the 2012 season.

Austin Peay got on the board first, scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning as Cozart delivered a run-scoring double, then later stole home to give the Lady Govs a 2-0 lead.

Loyola bounced right back in the top of the second inning and cut the Austin Peay lead in half when Jessica Balzano drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs, to force in Amanda Ciran, who had reached on a fielder's choice. But, as has been the story all weekend, Loyola was unable to keep the rally going as APSU righthander Lauren deCastro escaped further trouble, leaving the bases loaded with Ramblers.

Austin Peay added to its lead by plating two more runs in the fourth to take a 4-1 lead and Loyola let another golden opportunity slip through its hands in the top of the sixth. Tarran Shaffer led off the inning with a double down the left field line, and one out later, Emily Bentley drew a walk, giving the Ramblers runners at first and second with one out, but yet again, deCastro was able to emerge unscathed as she retired the next two Loyola hitters.

The Lady Govs put the contest out of reach with a four-run sixth inning as Lauren Bradley and Cozart each tallied two-run singles.

Shaffer extended her hitting streak to five games, going 2 for 3 for the Ramblers, who managed only three hits off of deCastro.

Loyola continues its spring break trip when it visits Wichita State for a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 7 at 3 p.m. CT.