March 7, 2014
Box Score
Los Angeles, Calif. - The Loyola University Chicago softball team outlasted CSU Bakersfield in their first game of the UCLA/CSUN Invitational in Los Angeles, Calif., this afternoon. The Ramblers edged out the Roadrunners 5-4 behind Brie Pasquale and Jessica Balzano, who scored two runs a piece.
After both teams were held scoreless through the first inning, Bakersfield's Madison Bundy led off the second inning with a home run to center field to put the Roadrunners on the board first. Rambler pitcher Ashley Rogers settled down soon after, however, allowing her defense to work for the next three outs.
The Roadrunners carried their offensive spark into the third inning, putting together a two-out rally to add another run to their total. After Rogers forced a flyout and a groundout to start off the frame, Karissa Veiga drew a walk and was able to advance to second on a wild pitch to Sydney Raeber. Raeber then singled up the middle to score Veiga and give the Roadrunners a 2-0 lead.
Pasquale responded with a big hit of her own to start off the bottom of the frame, roping a leadoff double to left center and then advancing to third on a wild pitch. The sophomore was then able to cross home plate on a Balzano single through the left side before Lauren Moore was hit by a pitch to put Ramblers at first and second. After both runners advanced on a Tarran Shaffer groundout, Bakersfield pitcher Kelsie Monroe let loose a wild pitch that allowed Balzano to score and tie the game, 2-2. The Ramblers did not stop there, however. With one out, Lauren Zaworski reached on a fielding error by Monroe, and Alyssa Mannucci singled to right center to score Moore and take a 3-2 lead.
Loyola continued its momentum into the top of the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases on two Bakersfield errors. After Shaffer was hit by a pitch to bring Pasquale home from third, the Roadrunners made a pitching change and brought Lyndsay Klimenko to the mound. It didn't phase Zaworski, however, who hit a sacrifice fly into right field to score Balzano from third and give the Ramblers a 5-2 lead.
In the top of the fifth inning, Bakersfield cut Loyola's lead down to two runs. Veiga drew a walk to start the frame, advanced to second on a Raeber single, then advanced to third on a fielder's choice. When Mannucci bobbled a Madison Bundy grounder, Veiga was able to score from third base and make the score 5-3.
The Roadrunners were able to add one more run in the bottom of the seventh on a Loyola error and a double. Balzano was able to grab a grounder to end the inning, however, and the Ramblers earned the 5-4 win.
With a 1-for-4 day, Pasquale has now reached base in nine straight games. The sophomore also contributed two runs. Zaworski contributed one hit and one RBI, extending her hitting streak to five games.
Rogers earned the victory in the circle, giving up four runs on five hits in seven innings pitched.
The Ramblers are back in action tonight at 9:30 p.m. when Loyola takes on UCLA in their second game of the UCLA/CSUN Invitational in Los Angeles, Calif.
