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CHICAGO -

Final Score: Southern Illinois 1, Loyola 0
Records: Southern Illinois (22-18, 9-4 MVC); Loyola (18-19, 1-12 MVC)
Location: Loyola Softball Park -- Chicago, Ill.
Stats: Box Score 

In Short
Keenan Dolezal threw a complete game and allowed only one run, but it was all Southern Illinois (22-18, 9-4 MVC) would need as Loyola University Chicago dropped a 1-0 decision in game one of a doubleheader at Loyola Softball Park this afternoon. The loss drops the Ramblers to 18-19 overall and 1-12 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

How It Happened
The complexion of the game changed in the bottom of the first inning. Shannon McGee wasted little time in extending her hit streak to six games, singling to left field to lead things off for the Ramblers, who had an apparent huge inning on the horizon when Erica Nagel appeared to single. However, the lefty slapper was called out for making contact out of the batter's box. Alyssa Mannucci followed by reaching on a fielder's choice, and McGee moved up to third on an error, giving the Ramblers runners at the corners, but SIU righthander Brianna Jones was able to escape the inning unscathed.

Southern Illinois got on the board in the second inning on Sydney Jones' one-out RBI single and that would be all of the offense that the Salukis would need. Dolezal was impressive in the circle, allowing just three hits over the final five innings to shut down the SIU offense.

Loyola threatened in its last at-bat, when Jamie O'Brien ripped a two-out single to put the tying run on base. O'Brien would move up a base on a passed ball, giving the Ramblers the tying run in scoring position, but Jones struck out Ashley Parenti to end the threat and the game.

A Look At The Numbers
- McGee recorded her seventh multi-hit outing of the season, going 2-for-3, as she accounted for half of Loyola's hits.
- Dolezal was impressive, allowing only one run and over her last two appearances has now yielded just one earned run over 10.1 innings.
- Katelyn Massa led Southern Illinois with two hits, while Brianna Jones scattered four hits and struck out six in a shutout victory.

Up Next
Loyola and Southern Illinois play game two of a twin bill at 2 p.m. today.