April 21, 2013
Box Score
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Sophomore Amanda Ciran tossed a three-hit shutout and struck out seven to help Loyola University Chicago (23-14, 11-3 Horizon) pick up a 3-0 victory over Cleveland State (15-20, 6-5 Horizon) in game one of a doubleheader this afternoon at Viking Field.
The game was a classic pitcher's duel between Ciran and Cleveland State's Alex Radjen and was a scoreless affair until the fifth inning when Loyola finally broke through for a run. Brooke Andresen's single sparked a two-out rally and following a bunt by Jessica Balzano and ensuing throwing error by the Vikings, Lauren Moore stroked an infield hit that plated Andresen for a 1-0 Loyola lead.
Ciran was able to work herself out of some tough jams in a handful of innings and stranded seven Vikings on base for the game. The righthander found herself in a serious pickle in the sixth inning after Erica McNew walked and Cynthia Woodard was hitch by a pitch to put runners and first and second with no outs. However, Ciran retired the next three hitters, two via strikeout, to preserve the one-run lead.
Loyola got some much-needed breathing room in the seventh when Tarran Shaffer stroked a two-run single to stretch its lead to 3-0, and Ciran set down Cleveland State in order in the bottom of the inning as the Ramblers won for the 13th time in the last 16 outings.
Five players recorded a hit for the Ramblers including Shaffer, who collected a hit for the 11th time in her last 12 outings.
