MURRAY, Ky. (March 10, 2022) – The Loyola University Chicago softball team was back in action as they took on the Murray State University Racers in a double header as they kicked off the Racer Classic. Following these two games, the Ramblers ended up 1-1 on the day, winning the first against the Racers and losing the second.
GAME 1
Loyola came out strong as they were the first team to score in this game. They grabbed a run in each of the first two innings, putting the Ramblers up 2-0 at the middle of the second. But in the bottom of the second, the Racers came back to score two runs to tie the game.
From there, no one scored in the last five innings, causing the game to go into extra innings. The Ramblers grabbed a run in the eighth only to be followed by a Racers' run, equalizing the game yet again. At the top of the ninth, the Ramblers scored another run to put them up 4-3. This run brought in
Teagan Sopczak thanks to a double from
Madison Ebeling gave Loyola the 4-3 win.
Ebeling had the best batting average in this game with a .273 as she registered two hits with one of them being a double. She also added an RBI. Sopczak also had a good game. She scored two runs: the game-winner and as well as the run in the second.
Ava Bieneman and
Nova Sinskul also recorded runs in this game.
Sydney Ruggles started on the mound for the Ramblers, but came out in the game after the second inning.
Peyton Pepkowski came out next, grabbing her fourth win this season.
Abbey Jacobsen had the most impressive game in the field as she ended the game with eight putouts. Sinskul and Thomas also had five putouts each.
GAME 2
The second game started shortly after the first with the Ramblers putting out a very similar lineup. However, Loyola did not end up with the same result. Murray State came out strong with four runs in the first, causing the Maroon and Gold to be down right from the start. They continued with the momentum, and by the end of the second, the Racers had six runs. Even though the Ramblers came back to grab three of their own in the third, it wasn't enough as they lost 8-5 to Murray State.
Three players made it home in this game.
Abby Brown and Thomas each came in with two runs while
Tori Boysen scored one. Those two runs scored by
Abby Brown were home runs, giving her the most on the team so far this season. With those home runs, she also finished the game with three RBI's.
Sydney Barnett had a strong performance in the field this game. She led all the Ramblers with six putouts while Bieneman was close behind with four.
UP NEXT
The Ramblers will play in the second day of the Racer Classic as they face Murray State. First pitch for this game will begin at 12 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and there will also be live stats available.
