TAMPA, Fla. -- Loyola Chicago fell, 5-1, to St. John's on the final day of the Fonseca Memorial Tournament at USF on Sunday, Feb. 16 after a three-run fifth inning from the Red Storm.
How It Happened
Despite early chances with a runner in scoring position in the second and third innings, the Ramblers couldn't get on the board until much later due to the Red Storm's pitcher Loreley Francia's posie in the circle. St. John's took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third on a solo home run to left field, and they added another run in the fourth frame on a wild pitch.
In a decisive fifth inning, the Red Storm broke open a tight game after a bunt single, followed by a ground-rule double. Then a Loyola throwing error allowed two more runs to score and St. John's key offensive burst put the game out of reach for the Ramblers. Francia delivered a complete-game performance in the circle for the Red Storm, striking out seven Ramblers and allowing just one run in six hits.
Loyola struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, leaving nine runners on base. The Ramblers' lone run came late in the game when freshman
Kayci Rigby's RBI single plated senior
Bella Crimaldi in the sixth inning. Starting pitcher
Peyton Pepkowski, who is now 0-6, took the loss, allowing two earned runs on three hits in four innings while striking out four batters before
Andie Broniewicz pitched the final two innings, surrendering three runs, one earned, on five hits.
Inside the Box Score
- Six Ramblers accounted for hits: Nat Lesnicki, Crimaldi, RIley Owens, Katie Mitchell, Rigby and Abby Johnson.
- Haley Wallace and Mitchell each added a stolen base.
- The 2-8 losing record marks Loyola's worst opening to a season through its first two tournaments since 2023 when they went 3-7.
Up Next
Loyola heads back to the East Coast for the Pirate Invitational at East Carolina Univeristy in Greenville, N.C. where the Ramblers will face Boston College, Canisius and ECU from Friday, Feb. 21 to Sunday, Feb. 23.
