GREENVILLE, N.C. – Loyola Chicago softball fell, 6-5, to Boston College and stumbled, 10-5, to East Carolina on day one at the Pirate Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 22.
Game One: Loyola 5, Boston College 6
After leading for most of the game, Loyola let go of its 5-1 lead over Boston College as the Eagles made a furious comeback in the bottom of the seventh, scoring five runs to clinch the victory over the Ramblers. Loyola started out strong, plating two runs in the first frame after
Bella Crimaldi hit an RBI single and then a groundout from
Riley Owens brought home a second run.
The Ramblers added two more runs in the third, with Owens delivering another RBI single while
Katie Mitchell drove in another run to give Loyola a 4-0 advantage. The Eagles got their first run on the board in the bottom of the frame. Then the Ramblers tacked on one more run in the fifth after an error allowed Owens to score, putting Loyola up 5-1.
Starting pitcher
Peyton Pepkowski kept the Eagles in check for six innings, allowing just one earned run on seven hits, but Boston College broke through in the seventh. A leadoff double from Jordan Stephens sparked the rally, and after two Loyola fielding errors, Boston College loaded the bases. The Eagles trimmed the gap to 5-3 after an RBI single then Hannah Slike's delivered a game-winning three-run double.
Inside the Box Score:
- Sierra Sass and Haley Wallace led Loyola's offense with two hits each.
- Nat Lesnicki scored two runs, while Owens, Wallace and Sass each contributed one.
- In addition to Owens' two RBI, Crimaldi, Mitchell and Addyson Borg recorded one apiece.
Game Two: Loyola 5, East Carolina 10
Despite an early lead, Loyola slipped, 10-5 to ECU, letting up six runs between the fourth and sixth innings. The Ramblers jumped ahead with a four-run third inning, highlighted by RBI hits from Lesnicki and Owens. Then the Pirates responded with a four-run fourth frame and two more runs to secure the win.
Inside the Box Score:
- The Ramblers tallied 10 hits, with Owens and Sass adding two apiece.
- In the circle, Andie Broniewicz took the loss, allowing six earned runs over 3.2 innings while Maddy Hickey provided 2.1 innings of relief.
Up Next
Loyola takes on Canisius tomorrow morning, Sunday, Feb. 23, at 8 a.m. to round out the Pirate Invitational.