TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (May 7, 2022) -- The Loyola University Chicago softball team is back in action this weekend as the Ramblers travel to Indiana to take on the Sycamores of Indiana State. This series could push the Ramblers all the way up to sixth in the Missouri Valley Conference standings, which would give them a bye in the tournament next week. 

LAST TIME OUT
The Ramblers hosted Drake University last week in its final home series of the season. For the first time since 2014, Loyola took this series from Drake 2-1, giving its lone senior her first ever series win over the Bulldogs. 

SCOUTING THE SYCAMORES
Indiana State University is just below .500 on the season while sitting at 9-14 in Missouri Valley Conference play. They won three series this season against Valparaiso, Bradley and Evansville. 

This team is strong when it comes to hitting doubles. The Sycamores are currently 63rd in the NCAA and second in the Valley when it comes to hitting doubles as the team has 64. Bella Peterson has been the biggest contributor for this as she is third in the nation with 19. 

Along with all of her doubles, Peterson is 44th in the NCAA and No. 1 in the Valley for total bases this season with 107. 

Based on all of the other offensive statistics, Peterson also has the highest batting average with .383. Three other Sycamores are hitting above .300 as well: Isabella Henning, Lexie Siwek and Annie Tokarek. They have all played in at least 43 of the team's 47 games.

Lexi Benko, Indiana State's starting pitcher, also has the lowest ERA on the team with a 2.81. She also has 83 of the team's 173 strikeouts, which is the most of everyone on the team. As a whole, the Sycamores' pitching staff has a combined 3.77 ERA. 

Henning, the team's first baseman, has the most putouts on the team with 330. She has one of the best fielding percentages on the team with a .985.

WHEREABOUTS
All three games of this series will be played at Price field on the campus of Indiana State in Terre Haute, Indiana. The first two games will be played on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. CT and the final game will be played on Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. CT. There will be live stats and live streams through ESPN+ available for this whole series.