CHICAGO (April 2, 2021)
 
In Short
Madison Ebeling tallied a pair of hits, but it wasn't enough for Loyola University Chicago (5-18, 1-6 MVC), which was unable to slow down a hot-hitting Southern Illinois (25-6, 7-3 MVC) squad in a 12-1 loss in six innings in game two of a doubleheader Friday afternoon.
 
How It Happened
Southern Illinois scored five runs in the first three innings to jump out to an early lead it would never surrender, with Maddy Vermejan's two-run triple to right center in the top of the second inning opening the scoring barrage.
 
Loyola cut into the Salukis' lead in the bottom of the third, getting a run back on Amelia Thomas' RBI single up the middle that brought in Allyson, Ivey, who had reached earlier in the inning on a one-out base hit.
 
After SIU got that run right back in the top of the fourth on Vermejan's solo home run to lead off the inning, the Salukis broke things wide open in the sixth inning, plating six runs, on only one hit, to cement a 12-1 decision. Loyola pitchers issued four walks and hit three batters in the inning.
 
A Look at the Numbers

• Ebeling was the lone Rambler with two or more hits, going 2-for-3, while Thomas drove in Loyola's only run of the day.
• Madison Veres fanned three batters in 3.2 innings of work.
• Liz Huckleberry went 3-for-4 for SIU, which also saw Vermejan go 2-for-4 with three RBI.
• Right-hander Carlee Jo Clark tossed a complete-game, five-hitters for the Salukis.

 
Up Next
The Ramblers and Salukis wrap up the three-game set with a single game Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.