March 29, 2014
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CHICAGO - In its first-ever hosted Missouri Valley Conference game, the Loyola University Chicago softball team earned a 4-3 decision over Drake University at Cacciatore Stadium in Chicago, Ill., behind a balanced attack from the Rambler lineup. With the victory, the Ramblers improve to 11-15 overall and 2-2 in the MVC, while Drake falls to 6-21 overall and 0-4 in the MVC.
"Drake is a solid Missouri Valley team and to earn a win in our first hosted conference game is a great accomplishment," said head coach Missy Beseres. "I was impressed with the way our hitters attacked Drake's pitchers, and we will look to carry this momentum into tomorrow's doubleheader."
Loyola got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning when Alyssa Mannucci hit a two-out line drive off the glove of Drake's right fielder, advancing to third base on the error. The freshman then crossed home plate when Olivia Bell hit a single through the right side to give the Ramblers a 1-0 lead.
The Maroon & Gold continued its offensive push in the bottom of the fourth inning after Erica Nagel led off the frame with a single to the shortstop. Brie Pasquale then laid down a sacrifice bunt that the Drake third baseman overthrew into right field, allowed Nagel to score and Pasquale to advance to third base. Jessica Balzano followed it up with a groundout to second base that scored Pasaquale, and after a Tarran Shaffer walk, Lauren Zaworski roped a double into left field to score Shaffer and put Loyola up 4-0.
Drake chipped away at the Loyola lead in the top of the fifth inning, pushing one run across to make the score 4-1. After Loyola pitcher Brittany Gardner struck out the leadoff batter an forced a Drake groundout, Kaitlyn Finneran hit a two-out home run to center field to bring the Bulldogs within three runs.
The Bulldogs continued their momentum in the top of the sixth inning, leading off the frame with two walks and a single to load the bases. With no outs, Laura Brewer drew the third walk of the inning to score one run and Rebekah Schmidt hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field to score another, cutting Loyola's lead to one run and making the score 4-3. Gardner shut down the Bulldogs in the top of the seventh inning, however, to give Loyola the 4-3 victory.
Nagel led the Ramblers at the plate with a 1-for-2 day, while Bell and Zaworski also contributed one hit and one RBI a piece.
Gardner earned the win for Loyola in the circle, giving up three runs on five hits, striking out seven in seven innings pitched.
The Ramblers are back in action tomorrow when they close out the three-game series with Drake with a doubleheader starting at 10:00 a.m.
