SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On a fun opening day, Loyola Chicago cruised to two wins against Towson and USC Upstate. The Ramblers picked up a 1-0 shutout against the Tigers before besting the Spartans, 3-1.
 
Loyola heads into day two at 2-0. It's the first time since 2017 the Ramblers have opened the year with two straight wins.

"Today was a great day of getting the job done together by doing just enough," said head coach Alicia Abbott. "We played as a team and when we were a little down offensively, our battery and defense picked us up, and the same can be said for the other way around. Andie and Pep threw lights out and it was huge to get a complete game out of both of them today."
 
Game One: Loyola 1, Towson 0
The Ramblers tallied the first hit of the game on an Ava Bieneman single in the first, but it wasn't until the fourth inning Loyola would see a run cross the plate. Bieneman struck again with a lead-off single. She got to third following an error and was plated by Liz Sedakis on a sac fly two at-bats later.
 
Towson recorded hits in the fourth and fifth and gained a base runner in the seventh. The Tigers were held off by the Ramblers who took their first win of the year, 1-0.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Bieneman went 2-for-3 at the plate with the only run scored. It was both of Loyola's hits against the Tigers.
- Haley Wallace and Katie Mitchell stole one base each.
- In the circle, Andie Broniewicz picked up her first win and shutout. She retired eight batters.
 
Game Two: Loyola 3, USC Upstate 1
Loyola didn't waste time in game two of the tournament putting all three of its runs on the board. The Ramblers gained early runners with Bieneman and Haley Wallace. Both scored on an error following a single from Sydney Barnett. Barnett crossed home on another Upstate error, and it was quickly 3-1 Loyola.
 
Cassie Norris helped the Spartans avoid a shutout out with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning. They'd get one more on base in the sixth, but the Ramblers held them off to sweep the day.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Four Ramblers combined for four hits.
- Riley Owens, Haley Wallace, and Barnett added to their career totals.
- Nat Lesnicki tallied her first in the Maroon & Gold.
- Peyton Pepkowski made her first start of the year in the circle and earned the win. She struck out three on the day.
 
Up Next
The Ramblers play another pair of games Saturday. First up is Toledo followed by South Carolina State. Times have been moved up due to weather. First pitch against the Rockets is 8:30 a.m. CT with the Bulldogs to follow at 10:30 a.m. CT.