NASHVILLE (February 25, 2021)
 
In Short
Belmont (1-4) scored two runs in the final three innings, including the winning run on a walk-off single from Cheyenne Cavanaugh in the bottom of the seventh, to stun Loyola University Chicago (0-5), 2-1, in game one of a doubleheader at E.S. Rose Park Thursday afternoon. Three of the Ramblers' five setbacks this season have been by a single run.
 
How It Happened
The Ramblers wasted little time getting on the board, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning without the benefit of a base hit. Katie Polaski drew a lead-off walk and one out later stole second before another base on balls, this one to Hannah Nalley, followed by Allyson Ivey's hit by pitch, loaded the bases. Nova Sinskul's RBI ground out brought in Polaski to provide starting pitcher Sydney Ruggles with a lead before she toed the rubber.
 
Ruggles was dominant in the first four innings and kept the Bruins at bay, holding them hitless until two outs in the fifth. That's when Lauren Veltri's single to right center plated MyKayla Spurlin, who had reached on a one-out walk, to tie the score.
 
Loyola had a chance to reclaim the lead in the top of the seventh when Amelia Thomas reached on an error to lead off the inning, but the Ramblers were unable to inflict any damage on Belmont starter Alicia Veltri, who escaped the jam unscathed.
 
Spurlin sparked Belmont's rally in its final turn at bat, drawing a lead-off walk, and following a fielder's choice, and a ground out, Cavanaugh laced a single up the middle to score pinch runner Autumn McDaniel for the game-winning run.
 
A Look at the Numbers

• Loyola was held hitless by Alicia Veltri, who struck out eight Ramblers despite issuing five walks.
• Ruggles was equally impressive in the pitching circle for the Ramblers, hurling 6.2 innings and striking out five, while allowing only three hits.

 
Up Next
Loyola and Belmont play game two of a doubleheader next.