CARBONDALE, Ill. (March 26, 2022) – The Loyola University Chicago softball team continued with Missouri Valley Conference this weekend as they headed down to Carbondale to take on the Salukis of Southern Illinois. The Ramblers played a double header against the Salukis to start off this three-game series. Following today's matches, the Ramblers went 0-2, putting their overall conference record to 2-3.
GAME 1
The Salukis came out swinging from the first inning. They scored four runs in the first four innings to take the lead over the Ramblers. That didn't stop Loyola from fighting. The Ramblers came back with a home run from freshman
Haley Wallace to get her team on the board in the sixth. However, it wasn't enough to get Loyola back in the game as the Maroon and Gold lost 8-1 to Southern Illinois.
Leading the way was Wallace as she grabbed her second home run of the season to also give herself an RBI. Along with Wallace,
Madison Ebeling and
Jocelyn Currie each had two hits to add to Loyola's offensive pressure.
On the mound,
Peyton Pepkowski started the game and pitched the first five innings. During her time on the field, she struck out three batters.
Bri Clifton came in as a reliever during the final inning.
Amelia Thomas was the biggest contributor to the team's defense as she finished the game with seven putouts. Following close behind her was Currie, who ended up with four putotus of her own.
GAME 2
When the Ramblers came back onto the field, they were ready to go. They came out swinging, putting people on base from the very first inning. With this type of offense, Loyola was able to grab a run in the second inning as Sopczak made her way around the bases thanks to a hit from
Riley Owens. The Maroon and Gold was able to keep this lead until the fourth inning when the Salukis came back with three runs of their own. Although the Ramblers tried, they were unable to come back in this game as Southern Illinois ultimately won 4-1.
Leading the offensive efforts for Loyola was Sopczak, Owens and
Ava Bieneman. Those three were the only ones to register hits for the Ramblers in this game. Along with her hit, Owens secured an RBI off of Sopczak's run.
Andie Broniewicz pitched all six innings for the Ramblers, finishing the game five strikeouts. Behind her on the field, Thomas had the most putouts again with seven while
Abbey Jacobsen was close behind her with five.
UP NEXT
The Ramblers will be back on the field tomorrow in Carbondale as they take on the Salukis in the final game of this conference series. First pitch will take place at 1 p.m. A live stream will be available through ESPN+ and live stats will also be available.
