CHICAGO (March 27, 2023) - Loyola (8-16) returns Loyola Softball Park Tuesday hosting friendly foes the Bradley Braves. It will mark the first non-MVC meeting between the team's since Loyola joined the A-10 this season. The Ramblers are coming off a sweep of Saint Joseph's, while the Braves look to snap a four-game losing skid. Tuesday's action will start at 3 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.
LEADING OFF
• The Ramblers picked up their first A-10 sweep of the season taking all three contests against Saint Joseph's this weekend. In its home opener, Loyola forced extra innings to win 2-1 in the ninth. Game two was a 4-0 shutout for the Ramblers, and they followed it up with a 9-1 run-rule in game three.
• In the series against SJU,
Sierra Sass led the Ramblers at the plate hitting .500. She was 4-for-8 with three runs and one RBI. She was also 1-for-1 on steals.
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Madison Ebeling returned to action with a vengeance going 2-for-3 with five RBI and two runs in game three. Ebeling hit a three-run homer helping the Ramblers to a 9-1 win.
• Three Ramblers split time in the circle this weekend.
Peyton Pepkowski got the first win of the series. She pitched a complete nine-inning game and struck out five SJU batters.
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Andie Broniewicz recorded her first shutout of the season in game two. She was the only pitcher to not give up a run on the weekend, and she tossed a one-hitter.
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Bailey Johnson got the start in game three and earned her first win of the season. She allowed just one run before Pepkowski came in for the final inning of work where she retired two of the three outs.
• The Ramblers were aggressive on the base path and recorded seven stolen bases against the Hawks.
Nova Sinskul was a perfect 3-for-3. The team notched four in game three of the series.
• The doubleheader with the Braves marks two of the final three non-conference match ups for the 2023 season.
• Head coach
Alicia Abbott is in her fourth year at the helm. During her tenure, the Ramblers are 50-84.
SCOUTING THE BRADLEY BRAVES
The Braves are 10-21 heading into Tuesday's doubleheader. After beginning MVC play two weeks ago, Bradley is 2-4. The Braves are on a four-game skid having dropped their MVC series to Murray State. They also fell to Illinois to start the losing stretch. After losing the MVC opener, Bradley rebounded with two wins to take the series against Evansville. Currently, the Braves are hitting .271 this season with two players above the .300 mark. In the circle, Bradley has used six pitchers who have combined for a 4.25 ERA.
BRAVES TO WATCH
•Grace French leads the Braves hitting .389 this season with a 1.187 on-base percentage. French has 35 hits, including 14 doubles and four home runs. Her 14 doubles leads the country this season.
• French has also made the most starts (17) and appearances (18) in the circle this season. Over 82 innings of work, she has a 4.52 ERA and is 2-8 this season. French has pitched four complete games and has 51 strikeouts.
•Camryn Schaller leads the team in ERA (2.17) and strikeouts (55). She has made three starts over 16 appearances. Schaller has three complete games and two shutouts under her belt and sits at 4-3 this season.
