EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Loyola Chicago opened the 2024 Cougar Invite Friday afternoon with a pair of games. St. Thomas stole a late win over the Ramblers, 4-3, while SIUE jumped ahead early to win, 4-1.
With the losses, Loyola falls to 6-7 overall.
Game One: St. Thomas 4, Loyola 3
Sydney Barnett and
Haley Wallace were Loyola's dynamic duo to start Friday's action. In the first and third, Wallace got on with a single and scored on Barnett's doubles to follow. The Ramblers held a 2-0 edge at the end of three.
In the top of the fourth, the Ramblers plated one more with the help of a sac fly from
Teagan Sopczak to bring home
Sophia Remsik for a 3-0 lead.
Leinhard and Stierlen got on base early for the Tommies in the bottom frame. Crawford cleared the bases with a homer over center field to knot the game, 3-3.
The game fell in St. Thomas' favor with a walk-off solo home run down the stretch. Crawford pulled the 3-1 count for her second homer of the game. Tommies win, 4-3.
Inside the Box Score
- The Ramblers combined for nine hits.
-
Abbie Gregus, Barnett, and Wallace hit two each.
- Wallace,
Nat Lesnicki, Gregus, and Remsik all had a stolen base.
- In the circle,
Peyton Pepkowski falls to 4-3. She struck out six.
Game Two: SIUE 4, Loyola 1
The Cougars scored all four of their runs in the first inning to cruise to their afternoon win. Rocha sparked the offense with a lead-off single and scored on a fielding error. Herron and Montgomery also capitalized on Loyola errors to score, while Kearns singled to bring one more home and take a 4-0 lead.
The Ramblers got on the board in the top of the sixth. Wallace doubled and scored on a single up the middle from Lesnicki. With one more opportunity in the seventh, Loyola couldn't gain a base runner, and SIUE won, 4-1.
Inside the Box Score
- Four Ramblers combined for four hits.
-
Andie Broniewicz falls to 2-4 on the year and pitched a complete game.
Up Next
The SIUE Cougar Invite continues Saturday with another pair of games. The Ramblers will play Creighton and Illinois State.
