NORMAL, Ill. (March 28, 2021)
 
In Short
Host Illinois State (18-4, 5-0 MVC) scored five times in the bottom of the seventh inning to overcome a four-run deficit and deal Loyola University Chicago (5-15, 1-4 MVC) a crushing, 5-4 loss in game two of a doubleheader Sunday afternoon. The Ramblers have now suffered seven walk-off losses already this year.
 
How It Happened
Sydney Barnett's infield single with two outs in the first inning scored Amelia Thomas as Loyola drew first blood and the game would stay that way until Loyola hung a three spot on the board in the fourth.
 
Teagan Sopczak's run-scoring single through the right side brought in pinch runner Sophia Remsik, and Allyson Ivey followed with a double to center that plated Nova Sinskul and Caitlin Engelking as Loyola added to its lead, expanding the edge to 4-0.
 
Loyola took that advantage into the bottom of the seventh inning, when Illinois State dealt the Ramblers another heartbreaking, walk-off loss, doing all of the destruction before recording an out. Emme Olson's two-run double to center field tied the score at 4-4 and Dayna Kennedy followed that big hit by lacing a single up the middle that scored Kaili Chval and sent the Redbirds to victory.
 
A Look at the Numbers

• Allyson Ivey and Madison Ebeling each went 2-for-4 and Ivey also knocked in a pair of runs.
• Senior lefthander Madison Veres was masterful until the fateful seventh inning and wound up striking out three in 6.0 innings of work.

 
Up Next
Loyola plays its 2021 home opener March 31 when it hosts DePaul at 2 p.m.