Feb. 23, 2014
Box Score
Southaven, Miss. - On getaway day at the Blues City Classic in Southaven, Miss., the Loyola University Chicago softball team was unable to overcome a three-run seventh inning by Morehead State, as the Eagles trounced the Ramblers 4-3. With the loss, Loyola falls to 4-9 on the year after going 1-3 in this weekend's tournament.
Both teams were held scoreless through the first three innings, with a Lauren Moore single in the bottom of first being the only hit by either squad in the first three frames. Amanda Ciran was terrific in the circle for Loyola, striking out six batters in three innings without giving up a hit until the fourth frame.
Morehead State's Katie Raile was the first Eagle to get a hit off Ciran, singling through the left side in the top of the fourth. Jamie Massaro followed it up with a single of her own, and both base runners advanced on a passed ball. After Ciran's seventh strikeout of the game, a wild pitch allowed Raile to cross the plate, making the score 1-0.
The Ramblers tried to gain offensive momentum in the bottom of the sixth inning, after Brie Pasquale led off the frame with a walk. A Jessica Balzano sacrifice bunt advanced Pasquale to second base, and Moore followed it up with a walk of her own. A Loyola strikeout and flyout, however, ended the inning and halted the Rambler push.
Morehead State's Kayla McGuffey led off the top of the seventh with a walk and promptly stole second before a Lizzy Margagliotti single to right field advanced her to third. After Margagliotti stole second, a Dana Hutchins single to right field scored McGuffey. Two more runs would cross home plate on a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch, making the score 4-0.
Loyola made a valiant comeback attempt in the bottom of the seventh, starting with a Tarran Shaffer double to left center. Alyssa Mannucci followed it up with a single down the left field line, plating Shaffer and making the score 4-1. Erica Nagel and Pasquale then hit back-to-back doubles to center field, scoring both Nagel and Mannucci to come within one run, 4-3. A Loyola strikeout and groundout ended the inning, however, to give Morehead State the victory.
Moore led the Ramblers at the plate with a 2-for-3 day, while Pasquale contributed one hit and two RBI.
The Ramblers return to action next weekend at the Mizuno Invitational, Feb. 28- Mach 2, in Riverside, Calif. Loyola will take on California, UC Riverside and Sacred Heart.
