VALPARAISO, Ind. (April 20, 2022) – Following a weekend home series, Loyola University Chicago Softball made the midweek road trip to Indiana to take on the Valparaiso University Beacons for this double header. After it was all said and done, the Ramblers split today with a 1-1 record.
GAME 1
The first inning was very eventful for both teams. It all started with a four-run first inning thanks to a
Haley Wallace homer and other runs from
Madison Ebeling,
Amelia Thomas and
Abbey Jacobsen. But the Beacons responded back with six runs of their own to start this game to take the lead early.
It didn't take long for Loyola to grab another run as
Ava Bieneman scored in the second off a single from Jacobsen to put the Ramblers within one of Valpo. Even with that push and a home run from Jacobsen, the Maroon and Gold weren't able to make the final push to grab this first game, losing 9-7 to the Beacons.
Jacobsen has been making the most of her senior season, and it showed in this game. She registered a hit in all three of her at-bats, bringing in four runners while grabbing two runs of her own. Also helping the Ramblers out on the scoreboard was Bieneman, who ended the game with two runs, Wallace, Thomas and Ebeling, who each had one of their own.
Securing the most putouts on defense was Thomas, who concluded this first game with eight. Assisting on the most plays was
Andie Broniewicz, who finished with three putouts when she came in as a relief pitcher.
GAME 2
Shortly after the first game ended, the second one began, and this time, the Ramblers were not taking a loss. The Maroon and Gold scored the first run of this game when Wallace hit a single to center field to bring Bieneman across home plate. Loyola added to the scoreboard when
Nova Sinskul contributed her first home run of the season in the third inning to give Loyola a 2-0 lead.
Although Valpo came back to score one run of their own in the fourth, the Ramblers warmed up their bats in the sixth inning to grab five runs thanks to Thomas, Wallace, Brown,
Sophia Remsik and Sinskul. With this outstanding inning, Loyola was able to secure a 7-1 win to split the double header with the Beacons.
Sinskul was the most efficient hitter in this game. She registered two hits on three at bats with one of those runs being her eighth career home run.
Sydney Barnett also showed up for Loyola as she hit her first triple of the season to bring in three runs. She also added on another hit to put pressure on the Beacons' defense.
Peyton Pepkowski was on the mound for Loyola in this game. She grabbed four strikeouts while walking no batters.
On defense, the Ramblers were led again by Thomas as she earned six putouts. Along with having the most putouts, Thomas was tied for the most assists in this game with Wallace as they each tallied three assists.
UP NEXT
The Ramblers will be back at Loyola Softball Park this Saturday and Sunday, April 23 and 24, as they host the Missouri State Bears. Saturday will feature a double header beginning at 12 p.m. while Sunday will be a single game with first pitch at 12 p.m. Live stats and live streams through ESPN+ will be available for these three games.
After the two games on Saturday, there will be a home run derby with proceeds benefiting the Rambler Softball program. Each pitch will be $1 a piece.
