May 10, 2012

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VALPARAISO, Ind. - Brittany Gardner threw her second no-hitter of the season, striking out eight and walking five, as No. 2 Loyola University Chicago (25-21) defeated No. 6 Green Bay (23-27), 2-0, at the Horizon League Championship this afternoon. Gardner's no-hitter is the sixth all time in Horizon League Championship play and the first since 2006.

The sophomore southpaw worked her way out of a major jam in the top of the second after walks to Paige Newtols and Shannon Butts and Miranda Reinke's fielder's choice loaded the bases with Phoenix. However, Gardner kept her focus and struck out the next three batters to escape unharmed.

Loyola capitalized on a pair of Green Bay errors in the bottom of the second inning to get on the board. Lauren Zaworski reached on an error by leftfielder Danielle Peerenboom and one out later Olivia Bell's single gave the Ramblers runners at the corners with two outs. Bell proceeded to steal second base but an errant throw by Phoenix catcher Shannon Butts allowed Zaworski to score as Loyola took a 1-0 lead.

The game stayed that way until Zaworski provided the Ramblers with an insurance run in the sixth inning when she crushed a solo home run to center for her first roundtripper since April 6.

Green Bay threatened again in the seventh inning putting runners on base thanks to a pair of walks, but Gardner again slammed the door on the rally, striking out pinch hitter Jessica Hrncar before getting Ashleigh Racer to foul out to end the game.

The no-hitter is Gardner's second of the season as she also held Cleveland State without a hit in a 3-0 victory on April 15. Earlier this season, Gardner struck out a career-high 15 Phoenix in a 9-0 win.

Zaworski tallied two of Loyola's five hits on the day and scored both of the team's runs.

With the win, Loyola advances to face No. 5 seed Butler, which stunned top-seeded Valparaiso, 6-1, earlier today. The Ramblers and Bulldogs will square off tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. Central.