Box Score

CHARLESTON - The Loyola University Chicago softball team opened play at the Holy City Showdown on Friday by falling to Jacksonville 5-0. Four Ramblers recorded hits, while the team committed zero errors in the field for the first time this season.

Both teams had opportunities to score in the first inning, as Jamie O'Brien hit a one-out double down the left field line followed by a Brooke Wyderski single. However, O'Brien was thrown out on the play before a groundout ended the inning. At the bottom of the frame, a two-out single followed by back-to-back walks loaded the bases, but Ashley Rogers forced a groundout to leave all three runners stranded and end the inning.

The Ramblers put themselves in scoring position again in the second, as Jessica Balzano led off the inning with a hit before advancing to second on a single by Hannah Jenkins. Annie Korth then advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning.

Both teams were held scoreless until the bottom of the fifth. The Dolphins put runners on base with a one-out walk, followed by back-to-back singles, before a double drove in two runs. A pair of singles then led to Jacksonville putting three more runs on the board to take a 5-0 lead and ultimately the win.