Final Stats

NORMAL - After falling to Illinois State in game one of Saturday's doubleheader, the Ramblers dropped a heartbreaker in game two, as the Redbirds scored three runs in the seventh inning to win the game in walk-off fashion. Jamie O'Brien led the Ramblers with two hits, including her first home run of the season, while Brooke Wyderski added two RBI.

Both teams were held scoreless through the first three innings, with Ashley Rogers and the Rambler defense holding the Redbirds to just two hits. However, Illinois State's bats got hot in the bottom of the fourth, as back-to-back doubles put the Redbirds on the board first. A Rambler error advanced the runner to third before a groundout brought her home, giving Illinois State the 2-0 lead.

The Ramblers responded in the top of the fifth, as Hannah Jenkins led off the inning with a single before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt from Katy LaCivita. Tarran Shaffer then singled up the middle to knock in a run and cut the Redbird lead to 2-1. A single from Erica Nagel put two runners on base before Brooke Wyderski hit a two-run single to give the Ramblers a 3-2 lead. Loyola added another run in the top of the sixth, as Jamie O'Brien blasted her first home run of the season to increase the lead to 4-2.

In the bottom of the sixth, Illinois State led off the inning with back-to-back walks to put two runners on with no outs. Madison Hope then entered the game for Rogers and forced three straight outs to leave both runners stranded and end the inning,

The Ramblers entered the bottom of the seventh with a two-run lead, but the Redbirds drew a one-out walk before a two-run home run tied the game at 4-4. A bunt single then put the winning run on base, and an error on the following play allowed the Redbirds to score and win the game in walk-off fashion, 5-4.

Loyola and Illinois State wrap up the three-game series tomorrow at noon.