Final Stats

NORMAL - The Loyola University Chicago softball team dropped Saturday's series opener at Illinois State, falling to the Redbirds, 10-4. The Redbirds racked up 10 hits, including three home runs, en route to the victory, while the Ramblers recorded five hits, with two coming from Jamie O'Brien.

Illinois State struck first, as the leadoff batter reached base on an error before a home run to right center field put the Redbirds on top, 2-0. The home team scored again in the bottom of the second, as a leadoff single and an error led to a sacrifice fly, increasing the Redbird lead to 3-0.

Loyola responded in the top of the third, as Jacquelyn Murphy led off the inning with a double before advancing to third on a bunt single from Erica Nagel. Jamie O'Brien then singled through the left field side to knock in a run, cutting the Illinois State lead to 3-1. After a groundout advanced the runners, Jessica Balzano drew a walk to load the bases. Annie Korth then reached base on an error, resulting in all three base runners crossing home plate to give the Ramblers a 4-3 lead.

Both teams were held scoreless until the bottom of the sixth, as the Redbirds led off the inning with a single before a home run put Illinois State on top, 5-4. The next at-bat resulted in a double down the left field line before a single through the right side added another run, increasing the Redbird lead to 6-4. Ashley Rogers then entered the game for Madison Hope, inheriting one base runner with no outs. A bunt single added another runner before a three-run shot to right field increased the Illinois State lead to 9-4. The Redbirds added another run in the bottom of the sixth on one hit, one walk and an error to reach the final score of 10-4.