DES MOINES (May 1, 2021)
 
In Short
Drake (16-27, 10-12 MVC) scored all of its runs over the middle innings to rally for a 5-2 victory over Loyola University Chicago (10-26, 6-14 MVC) in game two of a twin bill this afternoon at Buel Field. The Ramblers have dropped their last four outings.
 
How It Happened
Defensive miscues by Drake helped Loyola grab the lead in the top of the first inning, with Madison Ebeling, who led off the game with a walk, eventually scoring on an error by Bulldogs catcher Makayla Rice. The Ramblers had a chance at a big inning in the first, loading the bases with two outs, but Drake starter Mackenzie Hupke escaped trouble, stranding three Ramblers and allowing just that lone run.
 
Drake moved ahead in the bottom of the third due to some Loyola defensive breakdowns, first tying the game on Macy Johnson's RBI groundout, then taking the lead when Libby Ryan, who had doubled earlier in the inning, scored on a Loyola error.
 
Pinch-hitter Kristen Arias' two-run single in the fourth inning increased the Bulldogs' advantage to 4-1, and Drake tacked on another run in the fifth to extend the lead to 5-1.
 
Hupke kept Loyola hitless until the top of the sixth inning when Nova Sinskul led off with a single through the left side. Loyola would cut into the deficit later in the inning on Abby Brown's RBI groundout that scored Sinskul, and the Ramblers appeared to be in for a big inning, but Johnson raced back to snare Tori Boysen's deep fly on the warning track to end the threat.
 
A Look at the Numbers

• Loyola lefthander Madison Veres struck out three and allowed two runs in a complete-game performance.
• Hupke struck out 10 Ramblers and did not allow an earned run, yielding only two hits, after holding Loyola hitless through the first five innings.

 
Up Next
The Ramblers and Bulldogs close out the three-game series with a single game tomorrow at 11 a.m. CT.