MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. (March 7, 2020)
In Short
South Dakota State (10-7) used a five-run fifth inning to rally from a 2-0 deficit and record a 5-2 victory over Loyola University Chicago (12-9) this afternoon at The Spring Games. The loss spoils two-hit days for both
Shannon McGee and
Caitlin Engelking as the Ramblers close out their spring break trip to Florida.
How It Happened
Loyola drew first blood, plating a run in the top of the third inning when
Madison Ebeling reached on a two-out single and came around to score on a
Shannon McGee RBI base hit.
South Dakota State tried to stage a rally in the bottom half of that inning, loading the bases against Loyola starter
Dani Brown, but the righthander fanned Kelsey Lenox to slam the door on the Jackrabbits' mounting threat.
In the top of the fourth,
Katie Polaski, who reached on a fielder's choice, then stole second base, came around to score on
Caitlin Engelking's two-out, run-scoring single, her second hit of the afternoon, to give Brown a two-run cushion.
However, the Jackrabbits mounted a huge rally in the bottom of the fifth, scoring five runs on five hits and a Loyola error, to take the lead. The big blow was a bases-clearing, three-run double off the bat of pinch-hitter Allison Beaudry, with two outs in the frame.
A Look At The Numbers
- McGee and Engelkng each went 2-for-3 with a RBI to pace the Loyola offense that produced seven hits on the day.
- Madison Veres came on in relief to record three strikeouts in 1.2 innings of work.
Up Next
Loyola opens Missouri Valley Conference action next weekend with a three-game series at Bradley, March 14 and 15. The teams open the weekend with a doubleheader on March 14.
