Feb. 8, 2015
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Box Score 
ROSEMONT - The Loyola University Chicago softball team concluded action at the Total Control Sports Invitational on Sunday with a 4-3 loss to Miami (OH). Despite a seventh-inning home run from Tarran Shaffer to pull the Ramblers within one run of the RedHawks, Loyola was unable to pull off the comeback and dropped to 2-2 on the weekend.
"I was disappointed in our mental focus in the early innings," said head coach Jeff Tylka. "That cost us a few runs, and in a close game like this it came back to bite us. Once we got our energy level and focus where it needed to be, we had dug ourselves into too big of a hole. We will learn from this game and prepare ourselves to start the next game with the proper focus and intensity."
After a scoreless first inning, the RedHawks got on the board first as a pair of singles and a sac bunt led to an RBI single late in the top of second. The RedHawks started the fourth inning with a leadoff walk and a double to put two runners on base with no outs, but freshman Madison Hope was able to force two groundouts and a fly out to end the inning and prevent any damage.
Ashley Rogers replaced Hope in the top of the fifth inning and held Miami (OH) scoreless, despite the RedHawks loading the bases. The Ramblers started the bottom of the fifth with a walk by Brie Pasquale and a single from Jessica Balzano, but were unable score.
The RedHawks got hot in the top of the sixth, taking advantage of a pair of Loyola errors to score three runs on three hits and increase the lead to 4-0. In the bottom of the inning, Jacquelyn Murphy entered the game to pinch hit and singled before advancing to second on a single by Hannah Jenkins. Katy LaCivita then stepped to the plate and doubled to left center, bringing home Murphy and Jenkins to cut the Miami (OH) lead to 4-2.
The Ramblers held the RedHawks scoreless in the top of the seventh before Tarran Shaffer blasted a solo home run in the bottom of the inning to pull Loyola within one run. However, the Ramblers were unable to complete the comeback and fell to the RedHawks, 4-3.
Loyola is back in action next weekend at the Hillenbrand Invitational in Tuscon, Arizona. The Ramblers will play five games, beginning with a matchup against Loyola Marymount on Friday, Feb. 13 at 11:00 a.m. CT.
