TAMPA - Loyola Chicago ended the weekend on a high note with an 8-0 win over Pitt in the final game of the South Florida Showdown. The six-inning run-rule win helped snap a five-game skid for the Ramblers.

Loyola improves to 6-5 overall this season.

"I'm proud of how our team bounced back after a weekend of tough opponents," said head coach Alicia Abbott. "We had games where our offense, defense, or battery did well, but this morning all three pulled together for a great win."

How It Happened
The first inning was quiet for both squads before the Ramblers woke up in the second. Loyola loaded the bases with one out setting up Abbie Gregus to bring in two runs on a single. Teagan Sopczak brough in the final run of the inning, and Loyola jumped ahead, 3-0.

The Ramblers turned a double play in the third to avoid Pitt's first base runner being a threat, and Loyola added its fourth run of the game on four hits in the fourth. 

Loyola jolted ahead 8-0 in the top of the sixth. Sopczak, Katie Mitchell, and Hannah Nalley filled the bases with early hits for the Ramblers. Haley Wallace then took a 2-0 count and blasted a grand slam over the left field fence to clear the bases.

The Panthers didn't have a response in the bottom of the sixth, and the Ramblers took the 8-0 shutout.

Inside the Box Score
- This marks the third shutout for the Ramblers this season.
- Wallace's grand slam was the second of the year for Loyola.
- The Ramblers finished with 10 hits.
- Riley Owens went 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
- Gregus and Sopczak had two hits and two RBI each.
- Wallace had a stolen base. 
- Peyton Pepkowski improves to 4-2 in the circle. She had two strikeouts.

Up Next
The Ramblers return to Illinois next weekend playing in a five-game series in Edwardsville. Loyola will face St. Thomas, SIUE, Creighton, and Illinois State beginning Friday.