Feb. 15, 2014
Box Score
Auburn, Ala. - The Loyola University Chicago softball team fell to Marshall, 8-1, in their first game of the day at the Tiger Invitational this morning. Two three-run innings propelled the Thundering Herd past the Ramblers, who fall to 2-5 on the year with the loss.
Marshall jumped out to an early lead after leadoff hitter Kaelynn Greene led off the first inning with a single and a steal. Greene was able to scamper home on a Morgan Zerkle grounder, giving the Thundering Herd a 1-0 lead.
Marshall pitcher Jordan Dixon kept the Ramblers at bay in the bottom of the first, and both teams were held scoreless in the second as well. In the top of the third, however, Marshall turned over its lineup and Greene again led off the inning with a single to third base. Zerkle followed it up with a single through the left side and both runners were able to advance on a wild pitch in the next at-bat. A Shaelynn Braxton double down the left field line pushed both runs across, and a Raquel Escareno sacrifice fly added another to give Marshall a 4-0 lead.
Loyola was able to fan an offensive spark in the bottom of the fourth inning, started by a Brie Pasquale single to left field to lead off the frame. After Pasquale advanced to second on a wild pitch, the sophomore crossed home plate on a Katy LaCivita single through the right side. A strikeout and two flyouts quelled the fire, however, and Marshall held onto a 4-1 lead.
In the top of the sixth, Marshall had another big inning, scoring three runs on two hits. After Katalin Lucas doubled down the left field line, a hit batter and a walk loaded the bases for Kristina Braxton, whose double into right center scored all three runners.
The Thundering Herd added one more run to their total in the top of the seventh, on a solo home run by Lucas to center field.
Loyola tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh, starting with a Jessica Balzano leadoff walk. Pinch hitter Jacquelyn Murphy was then hit by a pitch. Both runners were stranded, however, after two Loyola flyouts and a strikeout.
Katy LaCivita led the Rambers with a 1-for-1 day at the plate, with Loyola's sole RBI on the day. Vizza took the loss in the circle for Loyola, giving up four runs on four hits in four innings pitched.
Loyola returns to action at 11:00 a.m. against Winthrop, in their second game of the day at the Tiger Invitational in Auburn, Ala.
