CHICAGO (April 12, 2023) - Loyola softball (14-19) fell across town to UIC (1-35) Wednesday night. The Ramblers struck in the first scoring both their runs, but the Flames responded with three unanswered to earn the win. 

Madison Ebeling singled up the middle on the very first pitch of the game to set the tone for the first inning. Hannah Nalley joined on the base path after being hit by a pitch. One Loyola run scored on a single from Sydney Barnett and another on a single from Haley Wallace. It was a quick 2-0 lead for the Ramblers.

Loyola held on to the lead through the top of the fourth inning. UIC cut it to one with its first run in the bottom of the third. Clark crossed home on Ortiz double to right, and the Flames were on the board with two outs.

In back-to-back at-bats, UIC put two runners on with a single and walk in the bottom of the fourth. Walker then sent a routine fly ball to left that popped out of the glove for two more runs to score unearned. The lead swung in UIC's favor, 3-2.

Tori Boysen tallied the final hit of the game with a single to center in the seventh. The Flames retired the next two batters and held on for the win.

Inside the Box Score
- Five Ramblers combined for five hits.
- Ebeling was 1-for-1.
- Barnett and Wallace finished with one RBI each, while Riley Owens and Nalley tallied a run apiece.
- Bailey Johnson made the start in the circle. She struck out three Flames.
- Peyton Pepkowski pitched the final 3.1 innings. She had four strikeouts and falls to 8-9 on the year. 

Up Next
The Ramblers return home this weekend. Loyola will host George Washington to continue A-10 play. A doubleheader is slated for Saturday followed by a single-game Sunday. First pitch is 12 p.m. both days.