CHICAGO (April 15, 2022) – The Loyola University Chicago softball team welcomed the Illinois State Redbirds to Loyola Softball Park for the start of this Missouri Valley Conference series. This first day of play featured a double header between these two teams with both the Ramblers and Redbirds coming out with one win each.
GAME 1
From the start of this game, it seemed like an even matchup between the Ramblers and the Redbirds. Both teams went scoreless through the first three innings, but that didn't last long. Illinois State came out and scored one run in both the fourth and fifth innings, giving them the two-run advantage over Loyola. But in the bottom of the seventh, the Ramblers made a last-second push to get on the scoreboard. They managed to advance
Amelia Thomas to third base, but even with their best efforts, they could not get on the scoreboard, resulting in a 2-0 loss for Loyola in the first game.
Thomas and
Abbey Jacobsen were the two Ramblers to prevent the Redbirds from tallying a no-hitter in the first game of the day as these two each recorded a run. Along with the offensive efforts, Jacobsen had the most putouts on the team with seven. Thomas was close behind her with five.
On the mound,
Peyton Pepkowski had a great game for Loyola. She only allowed four hits in this outing, registering six strikeouts against the 29 batters faced. She also added on two assists.
GAME 2
Thirty minutes after the first game was over, the Ramblers went back on the field for the second game. Loyola set out to end their winning drought, and that's exactly what they did. Their bats were hot in this game, particularly in the fourth inning before an hour rain delay.
It all started in the first inning when
Ava Bieneman's single up the middle brought
Madison Ebeling across home plate to give her team the 1-0 advantage. From there, Thomas made her way around the bases to put Loyola up by two in the third.
Then the fourth inning happened. Sinskul was the first player to make it home before Ebeling registered her second home run of the season to bring
Riley Owens home as well. That wasn't the end of it for Loyola. Thomas and
Haley Wallace both circled the diamond to add to this phenomenal inning for Loyola, which put them up 7-0 heading into the fifth.
Even though the Redbirds attempted to make a comeback in the fifth inning, it was not nearly enough as they lost this game of the series 9-3. This is the most runs the Ramblers recorded in any game this season.
Leading the charge for Loyola was Ebeling, who ended the game with three runs, one of which was a home run, two RBI's and two stolen bases. Thomas was close behind with two runs of her own and two stolen bases. Also finishing the game with runs was Wallace,
Nova Sinskul and
Sydney Barnett. Wallace also tied Ebeling for the most RBI's in this game with two. On defense,
Abbey Jacobsen had the most putouts yet again with six while Wallace had the most assists with three.
Andie Broniewicz pitched all seven innings for the Ramblers, putting up a strong front for the defense. She struck out six batters during this game, walking none.
UP NEXT
The Ramblers will be back in action for the last game of this series with Illinois State tomorrow, April 16. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. There will only be live stats for this game.
