SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (April 25, 2021)
 
In Short
Starting pitcher Sydney Ruggles pitched one of her best games of the season, but Loyola University Chicago's (10-23, 6-11 MVC) bats, which had been hot recently, were unable to generate much offense in a 1-0 loss to Missouri State (20-15, 11-5 MVC) this afternoon in game one of a doubleheader at Killian Stadium.
 
How It Happened
It was a classic pitcher's duel with the teams combining for only five hits through the first four and a half innings until Missouri State dented the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth on Annie Mueller's RBI fielder's choice. Ruggles worked out of a first-and-third jam by striking out Skyler Shaw and getting Daphne Plummer to fly out to end the inning and keep the damage to a minimum.
 
Loyola tried to mount a rally in the top of the sixth when Nova Sinskul slapped a two-out single through the left side before Bears starter Madison Hunsaker plunked Allyson Ivey and Amelia Thomas in back-to-back at-bats to load the bases, but the Ramblers were unable to scratch out a run.
 
A Look at the Numbers

• Sinskul had half of the Ramblers' four hits in the game, while shortstop Madison Ebeling extended her hitting streak to nine games with a single to lead off the game.
• Ruggles was sensational in the circle, scattering three hits and striking out seven in a hard-luck loss.
• Hunsaker allowed only four hits and fanned four Ramblers to collect her eighth win of the spring.

 
Up Next
Game two of today's doubleheader will begin at 1:30 p.m. CT