Boxscore (PDF)
CLEARWATER, Fla. (March 7, 2018)
In Short
Shannon McGee's two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning propelled Loyola University Chicago (8-8) past South Dakota State (9-6), 2-1, this afternoon. The win brings the Ramblers back to the break-even point on the year.
How It Happened
Loyola righthander
Kiley Jones and South Dakota State freshman righthander Taylor Compton engaged in a pitcher's duel, with the best scoring chance for either team coming in the bottom of the fifth when the Ramblers loaded the bases. Back-to-back walks to
Emily Borg and
Peyton DeChant were followed by an out and then another walk that loaded the bases with two outs, but Compton squelched the Loyola threat by getting
Jordyn Cordell to line out to left to keep the game scoreless.
South Dakota State finally broke through against Jones in the top of the seventh, plating the go-ahead run on Abbey Murphy's sacrifice fly.
That set the stage for the late-game heroics from McGee in the bottom half of the inning. Consecutive singles by
Jamie O'Brien and Borg started the rally and DeChant followed by sacrificing the runners over to second and third to put the go-ahead run in scoring position. Compton retired
Ashley Parenti before McGee stroked a single to left that cleared the bases and lifted the Ramblers to a 2-1 victory.
A Look At The Numbers
- McGee went 2-for-3 with a walk and a pair of RBI to lead the Loyola offense which managed just five hits on the day.
- Jones yielded five hits and struck out two in earning her seventh win of the spring.
Up Next
The Ramblers open play at the USF Tournament on Friday when they take on Maine and Seton Hall in Tampa.
