In Short
 The Loyola University Chicago softball team finished 1-1 after their first two games in Madeira, Florida this afternoon at The Spring Games. The Ramblers fell to Florida Gulf Coast, 8-5 before shutting out St. Bonaventure, 3-0. Loyola moves to 12-6 overall this season.
 
How It Happened
 
Game 1: Florida Gulf Coast 8, Loyola 5
 
Half of Florida Gulf Coast's runs came in the top of the first inning, as the Eagles led off with a single up the middle. The squad then loaded up the bases from another single and a walk followed by a two RBI single to gain a 2-0 lead. The Eagles then hit another two RBI single to secure a 4-0 lead early on.
 
The Eagles scored again in the top of the third with an RBI single to make it 5-0.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, Loyola made its way on the board after Nova Sinskul launched a two-run homer to center field with Katie Polaski on base.
 
Later, the Ramblers brought it within one after loading the bases in the bottom of the fifth with singles from Emily Borg, Jessica Shields and Madison Ebeling. After Shannon McGee reached second on a FGCU fielding error, Loyola scored two more runs, only trailing by one, 5-4.
 
Florida Gulf Coast then hit a three-run home run in the top of the seventh to lead 8-4. The Ramblers answered with one last run in the bottom of the seventh, but that would conclude the game.
 
Game 2: Loyola 3, St. Bonaventure 0
 
To lead off the game, Jessica Shields reached on an error from the Bonnies and then stole second. Ebeling then came up to bat and hit a sacrifice bunt to advance Shields to third. McGee was next and hit a sacrifice fly to score Shields for a 1-0 lead.
 
Ebeling registered two RBI doubles towards the end of the game, first doubling to center field in the top of the fifth to score Abbey Jacobsen, and then again in the top of the seventh to drive in Shields for the 3-0 win.
 
Sydney Ruggles pitched her third game complete game shutout this season and only allowed one hit.
 
A Look At The Numbers
- Shields tallied five hits, four stolen bases, three runs and one double.
- Ebeling recorded three hits, two RBI, two doubles, one run and one stolen base.
- McGee added two hits and two RBI.
- Sinskul hit a two-run home run and registered one hit.
- Ruggles pitched her third game complete game shutout this season and only allowed one hit.
 
 
Up Next:
The Ramblers continue The Spring Games in Madeira Beach, competing against Central Michigan tomorrow at 8 a.m. CT and Iowa at 10:30 a.m. CT.