Final Stats

CHICAGO - The Loyola University Chicago softball team dropped the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against Wichita State, 5-1. Jessica Balzano led the Ramblers at the plate, hitting two-for-three with a run, while Jamie O'Brien increased her hitting streak to seven games.

Ashley Rogers and the Rambler defense held the Shockers scoreless in the top of the first inning before Loyola struck at the bottom of the frame. Balzano hit a one-out double before advancing to third on a wild pitch, then Brooke Wyderski brought her home with a single up the middle to give Loyola the 1-0 lead. Wichita State responded in the top of the second, as a pair of doubles tied the score at 1-1.

After a scoreless third inning, the Wichita State took the lead in the top of the fourth. The Shockers led off with a single, then a sacrifice bunt and a groundout advanced the runner to third before another single knocked in the run, giving Wichita State a 2-0 lead.

Madison Hope entered the game in the fifth and threw two scoreless innings before the Shockers built on the lead in the top of the seventh. With two outs, Wichita State put two runners on base with a single and a walk before a home run to left field increased the lead to 5-1. The Ramblers were unable to score in the bottom of the frame, and the Shockers clinched a series win with the 5-1 victory.

Tomorrow's series and season finale takes place at noon, with Loyola seniors Jessica Balzano, Annie Korth and Tarran Shaffer being recognized prior to the start of the contest.