April 5, 2014

Box Score

Peoria, Ill. - A seventh-inning rally that included two doubles and one home run propelled Bradley University past the Loyola University Chicago softball team in the first game of today's doubleheader at Laura Bradley Park in Peoria, Ill. With a 3-2 loss in the series opener, the Ramblers fall to 12-17 overall and 3-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference, while the Braves improve to 16-19 and 7-3 in the MVC.

Both teams were held scoreless until the top of the fourth inning, when Loyola put together a one-out rally to push two runs across. After Lauren Zaworski reached on a fielder's choice, Tarran Shaffer launched a double into left center to put Ramblers at the corners. Alyssa Mannucci followed Shaffer's hit with a single of her own to score Zaworski. A wild delivery from Bradley pitcher Madeline Lynch-Crumrine during the next at-bat then allowed Shaffer to also score, giving the Ramblers a 2-0 at the end of the frame.

Rambler ace Brittany Gardner kept the Braves off balance for the majority of the game, striking out a season-high eight batters and holding Bradley to just two hits until the seventh inning. In the bottom of the frame, Bradley's Alyson Clemente led off with a double to right field, and Shannon King followed it up with a two-run blast to center, tying the game at 2-2. Marina Groenewegen then doubled to right field, and Kendall Duffy hit a single to left center to score Duffy, giving Bradley the 3-2 walk-off win.

Olivia Bell led the Ramblers at the plate with a 2-for-3 day. Moore also contributed two hits, going 2-for-4 with a double.

In the circle, Gardner gave up three runs on six hits, fanning eight in six innings pitched.

Loyola is back in action in 30 minutes for the second game of today's doubleheader versus Bradley at Laura Bradley Park in Peoria, Ill.