CHICAGO (April 30, 2022) – The Loyola University Chicago softball team will compete in their final home series for the 2022 season as they hot the Drake University Bulldogs. Heading into this game, the Ramblers are ninth in the standings while the Bulldogs are currently in third. 
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Ramblers hosted Valparaiso University in the final game of this three-game series. Although Loyola fought hard against the Beacons, it wasn't enough to pull out the win as the Maroon and Gold lost 6-2 to drop the series 2-1. 
 
BRACING FOR THE BULLDOGS
Drake University has been one of the best teams in the Valley all season long as they currently are third in the standings. The team only lost two series in the conference this season against Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois. 
 
The Bulldogs rank highly in two statistical categories within the NCAA. They are 39th in the NCAA for stealing 1.56 bases per game and 24th for being walked 157 times. 
 
Macy Johnson is a big reason for the team's high numbers when it comes to stolen bases. She is No. 1 in the Valley and 46th in the nation for the number of bases stolen this season with 21. Her average .58 per game. 
 
The best hitter for Drake is junior Emily Valtmann. The utility player has a .362 batting average, registering 30 hits on 130 at-bats. Along with that, she leads the team in home runs with nine. 
 
The Bulldogs' pitching staff has a combined ERA of 4.53. Their starting pitcher is senior Nicole Timmons, who has a 4.44 ERA with a team-high 62 strikeouts. Freshman Paige Bedsworth has the lowest ERA with a 4.06 in 69 innings pitched. 
 
Sophomore Addie Lightner has the most putouts on the team and has also made no errors. She is perfect on her 235 putouts and four assists.
 
WHEREABOUTS
Instead of two games on Saturday and one on Sunday, the Ramblers will now play one game on Saturday and two on Sunday. Following Sunday's games, Loyola will honor its three seniors in Sydney Ruggles, Bri Clifton and Abbey Jacobsen. Saturday's game will begin at 11 a.m. while Sunday's double header will begin at noon. All the games will have live stats and streams through ESPN+.