April 28, 2012

Box Score

VALPARAISO, Ind. - Brittany Gardner struck out 10 and won for the sixth time in her last seven decisions as Loyola University Chicago (21-20, 12-7 Horizon) opened up a pivotal series with a 3-2 victory over Valparaiso (31-15, 15-4 Horizon) in eight innings this afternoon. The win improves the Ramblers' record to 3-1 in extra-inning contests this season and pushes them over the .500 mark for the first time in 2012.

Playing in weather conditions more typical of late fall, with temperatures in the 40s and wind gusts as high as 24 miles per hour, the game was a pitcher's duel between Gardner and Valpo's Alex Lagesse.

The host Crusaders got on the board early, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning thanks to Brittany Duncan's run-scoring double. Loyola wasn't able to muster a hit off of Lagesse until the fifth inning, when it scored twice to take a short-lived lead.

In the top of the fifth, back-to-back two-out walks to Olivia Bell and Keali Engelkens were followed by Brooke Andresen's RBI single to left field, for the Ramblers' first hit of the day. One batter later, Loyola took the lead when Engelkens scored on an error by Valpo second baseman Jesie Marinec.

Valpo seized momentum back in the bottom half of the inning however, as Kelsey Phalen crushed a one-out homer to left center to deadlock the game at 2-2.

Gardner worked her way out of a major jam in the bottom of the seventh inning as Valpo looked to earn a walk-off win. With a runner on second and only one out, Gardner induced a flyout that moved Jordan Rutkowski to third and after issuing a walk to Phalen, retired Tori Brown on strikes to slam the door on the Crusader rally.

Loyola would score the winning run in the eighth inning when Korth singled up the middle to bring home Jessica Balzano, who had reached on a Valpo error. Gardner then made quick work of the Crusaders in the bottom half of the inning, retiring the side in order, to collect her 30th win in a Rambler uniform.

Gardner allowed only two hits over eight innings and struck out 10 against a Valpo squad that came into the game hitting .318. Lagesse was impressive in her own right for the Crusaders, permitting only one earned run, while also fanning 10.

Andresen has now reached base in 20 consecutive games for Loyola.

Loyola and Valpo wrap up the doubleheader with game two, which is set for approximately 4 p.m.