April 10, 2014
Box Score | Photo Gallery 
CHICAGO - In a non-conference matchup across town in Lincoln Park, the Loyola University Chicago softball team fell to cross-town rival DePaul University, 9-1 (5), at Cacciatore Stadium in Chicago, Ill., today. Blue Demon ace Kirsten Verdun limited the Ramblers to just two hits on the day, as Loyola fell to 14-20 overall with the loss.
DePaul jumped out to an early three-run lead in the first inning, stringing together three singles and two walks off Loyola pitcher Amanda Ciran. After Verdun led off with a single and Allie Braden drew a walk, Mary Connolly followed it up with a single to center field to load the bases for Dylan Christensen, who hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score DePaul's first run. Ali Lenti then drew another walk and Morgan Maize singled to left field to score two and make the score 3-0.
DePaul continued its momentum in the third and fourth innings, pushing three more runs across on three hits. After a leadoff single and a Loyola fielding error put two base runners on for the Blue Demons in the top of the third inning, Staci Bonezek hit an RBI groundout to the short stop to give the Blue Demons a 4-0 lead. DePaul increased its total to six runs in the top of the fourth inning after Connolly hit a two-run home run to left center.
Lauren Moore blasted Loyola's first hit of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning, roping a single to right center field. Olivia Bell followed it up with a two-out walk, and Alyssa Mannucci then hit a single to center field to score Moore and bring the Ramblers within five runs, 6-1.
In the top of the fifth inning, DePaul increased its lead by three runs to move into run-rule territory. After back-to-back hits by Kali Gardner and Brittany Boesel plated one run, a two-run home run by Braden added two more, putting the Blue Demons up 9-1. The deficit was too much for the Ramblers to overcome, as Loyola was unable to chip away in the bottom of the fifth inning and ultimately fell to the Blue Demons in five innings.
Moore and Mannucci both finished 1-for-2, with Mannucci also collecting one RBI. In the circle, Ciran took the loss for Loyola, giving up nine runs on nine hits over five innings pitched.
Loyola is back in action this weekend when it hosts Illinois State in a three-game series at Loyola Softball Park. The Ramblers will take on the Redbirds in a doubleheader starting at noon CT on Saturday and a single game beginning at noon CT on Sunday.
