GAINESVILLE, Fla.  – The Ramblers split the first day of action at the Bubly Invitational Friday afternoon. Loyola Chicago shutout Charleston Southern 4-0 in game one before the Florida Gators ran away with a 10-1 win in five.
 
The Ramblers improve to 5-1 on the season.
 
"Our win over Charleston this morning was thanks to some great defense and timely offense late in the sixth inning," said head coach Alicia Abbott. "Our pitchers did what they needed to against Florida to keep us in the game, and our defense needed to better support them. I thought we had some good at bats and put pressure on their defense but ultimately need to add runs to stay in the game."
 
GAME ONE: Loyola 4, Charleston Southern 0
It was a defensive battle between the Ramblers in Cougars Friday morning. CSU put the first two hits on the board by the top of the third. Loyola didn't have an answer until the fifth where Liz Sedakis and Teagan Sopczak tallied singles. Both were stranded and the game remained deadlock.
 
The Ramblers woke up in the sixth with a Riley Owens single through the right side to spark the offense. Ava Bieneman followed up with an infield single, while Haley Wallace walked to load the bases with one out.
 
Sydney Barnett stepped up to the plate and crushed a ball to left center clearing the bases with a grand slam. The Ramblers jumped ahead 4-0 and allowed just one hit in the seventh to take their first win of the tournament.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Five Ramblers combined for Loyola's five hits.
- Barnett tallied all four RBI.
- It marked her first homer and Loyola's second of the season.
- Pepkowski earns the win and shutout. She improves to 3-0 with three more strikeouts.
 
GAME TWO: Florida 10, Loyola 1 (5 inn.)
Loyola loaded the bases in the first with a pair of hits and walk before the Gators recorded two outs and put five runs on the board in the bottom frame. The action was highlighted with back-to-back hits to the outfield, including a two-run double from Wilkie to plate runs four and five for the Gators.
 
Abbie Gregus put one on the board for Loyola in the second with a solo shot to center field cutting into the Florida lead, 5-1.
 
Erickson had a response for the Gators with a two-run single through the right side, helping Florida to a 7-1 advantage. Erickson brought another three runs home in the third, upping the lead 10-1. The Ramblers recorded only one more hit, and Florida took the 10-1 win in five innings.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Haley Wallace recorded two of Loyola's four hits.
- Gregus and Barnett had one each.
- Andie Broniewicz falls to 3-1 after making the start.
- Pepkowski pitched the final three innings, tallying one strikeout.
 
Up Next
Loyola continues play at the Bubly Invitational Saturday. The schedule has been altered due to weather. Action starts at 7 a.m. CT vs. Georgia Southern with Charleston Southern to follow at 1:45 p.m. CT.