April 26, 2014
Box Score
CHICAGO - Despite a nine-strikeout performance from senior Brittany Gardner, the Loyola University Chicago softball team fell to Evansville, 2-1, in the first game of today's doubleheader at Loyola Softball Park in Chicago, Ill. With the loss, the Ramblers fall to 19-28 overall and 8-13 in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Rambler ace Brittany Gardner was a force to be reckoned with in the circle throughout the first two innings, fanning two Purples Aces in the top of the first inning then striking out the Evansville side in the top of the second inning.
In the top of the third, Gardner fanned a sixth Evansville batter, and Shaffer threw out a runner attempting to steal second base to end the inning still scoreless. The Ramblers fed off the momentum in the bottom of the frame, pushing one run across. After Jacquelyn Murphy singled up the middle and Brie Pasquale drew a walk, the two runners advanced on a Jessica Balzano sacrifice bunt. Lauren Moore then crushed a single into center field, scoring Murphy. Pasquale attempted to round third base, but she was thrown out at the plate on the play to end the inning.
Gardner continued to deal in the top of the fourth inning, fanning two more to tie her season-high with eight strikeouts, but the Purple Aces caught on in the top of the fifth inning. After leadoff single and a walk put two runners on for Evansville, a sacrifice bunt allowed both to advance. Emma Buckles then slapped an infield single up the middle that was stopped on a diving grab by Rambler shortstop Pasquale, but the hit plated one run to tie the game at 1-1.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Ramblers appeared poised to attack again when they loaded the bases on two walks and a hit by pitch. A foul out and a ground out stemmed the tide, however, ending the inning with three left on base.
Gardner got right back on track in the top of the sixth inning, not allowing a hit and striking out a season-high ninth batter of the game. After one Purple Ace reached on an error and tried to steal second base, catcher Tarran Shaffer gave her pitcher some help, throwing out the Evansville base runner to foil the Purple Aces' second steal attempt of the contest.
After Loyola was held scoreless in the bottom of the sixth inning, Evansville began the top of the seventh inning with back-to-back singles and then capitalized on a Loyola fielding error to load the bases. Kayla Fortner then dropped a single into left field, scoring one run to take a 2-1 lead.
Loyola attempted a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, sparked by a Balzano infield single. After a wild pitch advanced Balzano to second base, the Purple Ace second baseman just barely got a glove on a sharp liner from Moore, ending the game and giving Evansville the 2-1 victory.
The Ramblers are back in action in 30 minutes when they take on Evansville in the second game of today's doubleheader.
