CHICAGO (March 17, 2021) – After getting 15 non-conference games under its belt in 2021, Loyola University Chicago begins its pursuit of a Missouri Valley Conference title this weekend when it heads to Evansville for a three-game series, March 20-21. The Ramblers will play their first six league games away from home.
 
Since joining The Valley for the 2014 season, Loyola has won its league opener just twice – 2014 and 2015 – and is seeking its first victory in a conference lid-lifter since throttling Evansville, 16-5 on March 14, 2015. This year, Loyola is also in search of its first winning record in conference play since joining the MVC and first since compiling a 16-5 mark in Horizon League competition en route to a regular-season title, in 2013.
 
First baseman Allyson Ivey, the reigning MVC Player of the Week, has been on an absolute tear at the plate, and last week hit .643 (9-for-14) with eight RBI, two doubles, a pair of home runs and four runs scored in four games at the Billiken Spring Tournament. A 2019 First Team All-MVC pick, as well as a Preseason All-MVC selection this spring, Ivey is batting .542 (13-for-24) with three doubles, two homers and eight RBI, to go with four multi-hit outings, during her current seven-game hitting streak.
 
Loyola – Evansville – The Series
Since joining The Valley, Loyola is 8-11 (.421) against the Purple Aces, but is only 4-9 (.308) over the last five seasons. The Ramblers have commenced conference play by facing Evansville on two previous occasions (2015 and 2017) and are just 1-6 in their last seven games against the Aces in Evansville.
 
Scouting Evansville
Evansville, which is 5-2 at Cooper Stadium this spring, has captured seven of its last nine games and like Loyola is playing its first MVC games of 2021. The Purple Aces' two defeats during that nine-game stretch each came by a single run. 
 
As a team, Evansville is hitting .306 and its lineup receives plenty of production from Eryn Gould (.411, 3 HR, 17 RBI) and Marah Wood (.367, 5 HR, 16 RBI). As a pitching staff, the combo of Jaime Nurrenbern (4-1, 0.74 ERA) and Izzy Vetter (6-2, 1.73 ERA, 68 K, 56.2 IP) has been one of the best in The Valley this season.
 
Up Next
The Ramblers play a three-game set at Illinois State next weekend (March 27-28) before playing their 2021 home opener versus DePaul on March 31.