CHICAGO (February 24, 2021) – After opening play at the DePaul Dome Tournament two weeks ago, the Loyola University Chicago softball team is back in action Thursday when it travels to Belmont for a doubleheader in Nashville, Tenn. The Ramblers and Bruins are meeting for the first time since March 10, 2017 at the Leon Smith Classic in Oxford, Ala.
 
Loyola is looking to avoid its first 0-5 start to a season since 2012 and will lean on the talents and veteran experience of senior Allyson Ivey, who hit .400 (4-for-10) with a home run and three RBI at the season-opening DePaul Dome Tournament. The first baseman, who was a First Team All-Midwestern Collegiate Conference and First Team National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Midwest Region selection in 2019, needs just 20 RBI to equal Lauren Moore's (2011-14) program record of 124 career RBI. Ivey's 18 career home runs rank sixth on the school's all-time chart.
 
Super Nova
Junior Nova Sinskul is off to a quick start this season, matching Allyson's .400 (4-for-10) batting average, which also homering and knocking in three runs. The Santa Barbara, Calif., native recorded a pair of two-hit games this season and went 2-for-2 with a walk, homer and two RBI in a loss to DePaul on February 13. The third baseman hit .298 (17-for-57) with a pair of dingers and 10 RBI in a season cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Scouting Belmont
Belmont is in search of its first win of 2021 after going winless and getting out-scored 26-3 in four games at the Trojan Classic in Troy, Ala., two weeks ago. As a team, the Bruins, who posted a 5-14 record a year ago, are hitting just .151 as a team. First baseman Abi Ledbetter has gone 4-for-10 (.400) at the plate this season, while Audrey Lyle has driven in two-thirds of Belmont's runs in 2021.
 
Up Next
Loyola is scheduled to compete in the Purple and Gold Challenge hosted by Lipscomb, March 5-7.