May 9, 2013

Box Score

CHICAGO - Casey Crozier scattered five hits and struck out six to lead sixth-seeded Youngstown State (18-35) to a 2-0 victory over No. 2 seed Loyola University Chicago (28-18) this afternoon at the Horizon League Championship at Flames Field. The loss sends the Ramblers into the consolation bracket where they will face No. 4 seed Cleveland State at 6:30 p.m. tonight.

The contest was a battle between two of the top hurlers in the conference in Loyola lefthander Brittany Gardner and Youngstown State righty Casey Crozier. The Ramblers tried to get to Crozier in the first inning when Lauren Moore singled to left and Lauren Zaworski followed with a walk, but YSU was able to get out of the inning without any damage.

Back-to-back doubles by Samantha Snodgrass and Courtney Ewing in the top of the third inning gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead and that was all Crozier would need. A RBI groundout by Sarah Gabel in the sixth extended the Penguins' lead to two runs, but Loyola threatened in the bottom half of the inning.

Jessica Balzano worked a walk from Crozier to lead off the inning and one out later, Zaworski blooped a single down the right field line but Balzano was gunned down trying to advance to third. Tarran Shaffer followed with a single to bring the go-ahead run to the plate, but Crozier struck out Brie Pasquale to end the threat.

Loyola mounted one last rally in the bottom of the seventh when Olivia Bell singled up the middle with two outs, but once again, Crozier worked her way out of the jam as the Penguins advanced to face Wright State in the winner's bracket tomorrow afternoon.