CHICAGO (March 25, 2021) – Loyola University Chicago (5-12, 1-2 MVC) faces a stiff test this weekend when it travels to Illinois State (16-4, 3-0 MVC) for a three-game series. The Ramblers opened Missouri Valley Conference play last weekend by taking one of three contests at Evansville and are just 1-9 in true road games this spring. 
 
Senior first baseman Allyson Ivey is having another great year, hitting a team-best .358 (19-for-53) with three doubles, three home runs and 12 RBI. Amelia Thomas has been on a tear lately and has hit safely in five straight outings. During that hot streak, Thomas, who is batting .326 on the year, is 7-for-16 (.438) with a homer and two RBI.
 
Over her last two starts, righthander Sydney Ruggles has put up a 1.08 earned-run average and struck out 21 in 13.0 innings, while scattering six hits.
 
Loyola – Illinois State – The Series
Loyola is 5-11 against Illinois State since joining the Missouri Valley Conference for the 2014 season. The Ramblers have won just one of the last six meetings overall between the teams and are 3-5 since 2014 when playing the Redbirds in Normal.
 
Scouting Illinois State
The Redbirds are the hottest team in The Valley, winners of eight straight and 13 of their last 14 contests, including a 6-0 pasting of Northern Illinois on March 24. Wednesday's win against the Huskies came in Illinois State's 2021 home opener.
 
Four regulars in the ISU lineup are hitting .300 or better for a team that sports a .274 average. Leading the way for the Redbirds is Mack Leonard, who has a .607 slugging percentage and is hitting .391 (25-for-64) with six doubles, two triples, three home runs and 16 RBI. Kaili Chval, who owns a .345 (20-for-58) average with 13 runs scored.
 
Morgan Day, a senior righthander, is the ace of the pitching staff and possesses an 8-3 record and a 1.47 ERA and has struck out 115 batters in 76.0 innings of work.
 
Up Next
Loyola plays its 2021 home opener Wednesday (March 31) when it hosts city rival DePaul at 2 p.m.