BRONX, N.Y. – The Ramblers are semifinal bound in the Atlantic 10 Tournament after upsetting No. 2 Saint Louis 8-4 in Thursday's quarterfinal. The A-10 Player and Pitcher of the Year teamed up to help Loyola Chicago to the win.
Sydney Barnett recorded a two-run homer, while
Peyton Pepkowski struck out six.
The Ramblers improve to 29-22 overall. It's the most program wins since the team had 28 in 2013.
"Today's win was a total team effort," said head coach
Alicia Abbott. "We made some necessary adjustments the second time through the lineup to start getting on base and stepped up in big ways to get those runners in. Defense performed well behind our pitchers and our staff in the circle did a great job getting their hitters to go after our pitches."
Loyola found its spark in the third inning after loading the bases with two outs. Barnett battled at the plate turning an eight-pitch at bat into a walk to plate the first run.
Haley Wallace then placed a double to center to put two more on the board before Barnett scored on a wild pitch for a 4-0 edge after three.
A fielder's choice and hit by pitch helped the Ramblers tack on two more runs in the fourth. Saint Louis turned to the bottom of the inning tallying its first run of the game on a wild pitch. Loyola led 6-1.
Barnett blew the lead open in the sixth with a two-run shot to center, scoring herself and
Ava Bieneman. The Billikens matched her power in to bottom of the sixth with a three-run homer cutting the lead down to four.
Loyola was able to retire three straight in the seventh and held on to win, 8-4.
Inside the Box Score
- Bieneman went 2-for-2 with three runs scored.
- Barnett finished 1-for-3 with three RBI and two runs.
- Barnett is up to 53 RBI this season. The single-season record is 54.
- Wallace also finished with three RBI.
- The Ramblers totaled six hits.
- Pepkowski improves to 16-10 overall. She struck out six.
-
Andie Broniewicz and
Maddy Hickey pitched an inning each to close the game.
Up Next
No. 3 Loyola heads to the semifinal to take on No. 1 Dayton on Friday. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. CT.