March 30, 2014
Box Score
CHICAGO - A late-game blast propelled Drake University past the Loyola University Chicago softball team in the first game of today's doubleheader at Cacciatore Stadium in Chicago, Ill. With the 6-4 victory, the Bulldogs earned their first conference win and improve to 7-21 overall and 1-4 in the MVC, while the Ramblers fall to 11-16 overall and 2-3 in the MVC.
Loyola got on the board early after Brie Pasquale reached on an error by the Drake shortstop to lead off the bottom of the first inning. Lauren Moore followed it up with a double over the center fielder's head that scored Pasquale, giving the Ramblers a 1-0 lead.
Drake came back to tie the game in the top of the second inning when Cortney Wood led off the frame with a single and scored on a Kaitlyn Finneran double. The Bulldogs continued their offensive push in the top of the third inning, driving in two runs on two singles by Megan Sowa and Laura Brewer to put Drake up 3-1.
Loyola stormed back in the bottom of the third inning, however, starting with a Jessica Balzano single to lead off the frame. After Balzano stole second base, Lauren Zaworski singled to third base to put Ramblers at the corners, and a Tarran Shaffer bunt got past the Drake third baseman to score Balzano and bring Loyola within one run, 3-2.
Annie Korth and Erica Nagel led off the bottom of the fourth inning with back-to-back singles, with Korth advancing to third on an error by the Drake catcher and scoring on a Pasquale sacrifice fly. Moore then launched a double into left field to plate Nagel, giving the Ramblers a 4-3 lead.
Drake delivered a knock out blow in the top of the sixth inning, however, on a three-run blast from Amy Pierce. Pierce's home run came after a walk and a Loyola error, scoring three runs and allowing Drake to regain the lead, 6-4. The Ramblers were not able to overcome the deficit in the final two frames, however, to drop the contest to the Bulldogs.
Moore and Korth collected two hits a piece in the loss, with Moore also contributing two RBI. Ashley Rogers took the loss in the circle for the Ramblers, giving up three runs on four hits in five innings pitched.
The Ramblers are back in action at 12:30 p.m. when they close out the three game series against Drake with the second game of today's doubleheader.
