EDWARDSVILLE, Il. – On day two of the SIUE Cougar Invite, the Ramblers came away with a split. Creighton took a win over Loyola in the day's opener, while the Ramblers rebounded with a 2-0 shutout over Illinois State.
 
Loyola improves to 7-8 this season.

"Today wasn't our best day but pulling out the win against Illinois State was great to build momentum," said head coach Alicia Abbott. "Pep had a great day in the circle, and we did just enough to score runs when it counted."
 
Game One: Creighton 13, Loyola 1
The Bluejays jumped ahead quickly Saturday morning, plating their first run in the top of the first. Vejvoda brought in the run with a single to right field.
 
Over the next two innings, the Ramblers gained a base runner with a pair of walks, and Sydney Barnett tallied the first hit for the Ramblers with a single up the middle in the fourth, but Creighton's pitching continued to retired Loyola's chances.
 
The Bluejays blew the lead open to 5-0 following a four hit and four run fifth inning. By the end of the top of the seventh, Creighton recorded nine more hits and took a 13-0 lead. Barnett homered to left to get Loyola on the board, but the Bluejays came away with the win.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Barnett went 2-for-3 with both Loyola's hits.
- Maddy Hickey made the start. She falls to 0-1 and struck out two.
- Bailey Johnson also saw time in the circle. 
 
Game Two: Loyola 2, Illinois State 0
The Ramblers rallied for a win in game two over the Redbirds.
 
Loyola needed only the first inning to seal ISU's fate. Ava Bieneman led off with a walk and was joined by Haley Wallace on base two at-bats later with another walk. Both scored after Barnett forced a fielder's choice situation, and Loyola took a 2-0 edge.
 
ISU gained a base runner in the second and had the tying run on in the third, but Peyton Pepkowski went to work in the circle, tallying four strikeouts by the end of the third inning.
 
Bryant and Hopkins recorded doubles for the Redbirds, but ISU couldn't convert. Loyola won, 2-0.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Pepkowski earned her third shutout in the circle this year.
- She improves to 5-3 and struck out 10 batters.
- It marks the second double-figure strikeout game this season for the junior pitcher.
 
Up Next
This weekend's action wraps up with one more game Sunday. Loyola and SIUE will take the field for a rematch at 5 p.m.