ROSEMONT, Ill. (February 14, 2021)
In Short
Loyola University Chicago (0-4) couldn't make an early two-run lead hold up in a 6-3 loss to Western Illinois (2-1) to close out play at the DePaul Dome Tournament this morning.
How It Happened
Loyola got on the board early, scoring first on
Allyson Ivey's RBI single to left field that brought in
Hannah Nalley, who had reached on a hit by pitch with two outs in the bottom of the first inning.
The Ramblers added to their lead in the third when
Katie Polaski doubled and an out later, swiped third base before scampering home on
Hannah Nalley's single to left for a 2-0 edge.
Loyola was unable to make that lead stand, however, with that two-run advantage evaporating in the fourth despite Western Illinois picking up only one hit in the inning, but benefiting from four walks and a hit batter.
Starting pitcher
Dani Brown had no problems with the Western Illinois lineup through the first three frames, allowing just one walk, and at one point, retiring eight straight batters. But, the sophomore ran into trouble in the fourth, issuing a pair of walks to start the inning before
Sydney Ruggles came on in relief. A single to left by Savannah Rodriguez, WIU's first base hit of the game, loaded the bases with no outs and one out later, Sydney Hollings' sacrifice fly cut the Loyola lead in half before Ami Ill scored on a double steal to tie the game at 2-2. Following two more free passes, Abby Gracia was plunked by a Ruggles offering to force in the go-ahead run.
Western padded its lead in the top of the fifth, extending it to 6-2 on Hollings' two-strike, two-out, three-run home run to right field.
Loyola put runners on in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, with its best chance of a rally coming in the sixth when Ivey walked,
Amelia Thomas was hit by a pitch and
Abbey Jacobsen singled to load the bases and bring the tying run to the plate.
Caitlin Engelking followed with a base hit to score Ivey to cut the deficit to 6-3, but Rodriguez was able to escape without any additional damage.
The Ramblers tried to mount one final rally in the bottom of the seventh when
Jocelyn Currie led off with a walk, but Rodriguez left her stranded there to give the Leathernecks the come-from-behind win.
A Look at the Numbers
- Six Ramblers recorded hits on the day and Brown struck out three and did not allow a hit in 3.0 innings of work.
- Hollings went 1-for-2 with four RBI for Western Illinois.
Up Next
The Ramblers are next in action February 26 when they travel to Nashville for a doubleheader versus Belmont.