BRONX, N.Y. – No. 3 Loyola Chicago advanced in the 2024 Atlantic 10 Softball Tournament with a 7-1 win over No. 6 Saint Joseph's in the first round Wednesday afternoon. All seven runs came in the first inning to power the victory.
 
Sydney Barnett's record breaking 14^th home run highlighted the first inning action.
 
The Ramblers improve to 28-22 overall.

"It's a great start to the tournament to put 10 hits and seven runs on the board," said head coach Alicia Abbott. "We did a great job capitalizing in the first inning to score enough runs to get the job done. Our pitchers kept their hitters off balanced, and our defense played well behind the circle."
 
Saint Joseph's put the first run on the board in the top of the first as the Hawks capitalized on an overthrown pick off attempt at second base.
 
The Ramblers shook off the early run putting up all seven runs on five hits in the bottom frame. Ava Bieneman and Teagan Sopczak got on with a walk and single to open the inning. Bieneman put the tying run across on a wild pitch.
 
Liz Sedakis joined Sopczak on base with another walk and both were brought home on Barnett's homer.
 
Haley Wallace, Sierra Sass, and Bieneman tallied the remaining three hits of the first. Bieneman's plated the final run, and Loyola jumped ahead 7-1.
 
The Ramblers recorded five more hits through the sixth and held on to win and advance in the tournament.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Barnett's home run set a new single-season record with her 14^th of the season.
- She finished 1-for-2 with two walks, three RBI, and one run.
- Bieneman went 2-for-2, while Sedakis finished 2-for-3. Both doubled.
- Peyton Pepkowski improved to 15-10 in the circle with six innings tossed. She struck out five.
- Andie Broniewicz pitched the final inning and struck out one.
 
Up Next
Loyola advances to the next round of the tournament to play No. 2 Saint Louis. First pitch is 2:30 p.m. in the Bronx.