CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Loyola Chicago wrapped up the UNI Dome Tournament with a close, 4-3, loss to Drake on Sunday, Feb. 9.  

"I'm really proud of how our players competed today. The weekend doesn't reflect the numbers we were hoping for, but we learned to get better, grow, and compete throughout the weekend," said head coach Alicia Abbott. 

How It Happened 
The Ramblers jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the first inning, and extended it, 3-1, in the second. Then the Bulldogs responded with a two-run third inning to level the score. After a scoreless fourth, Drake secured the lead after Emma Dighton hit a homerun off a pitch from reliever Peyton Pepkowski.  

After taking over for Andie Broniewicz, who struck out four batters but let up three runs in her three-inning start, Pepkowski held the Bulldogs in check, allowing two hits over her three innings and recorded one strikeout. Despite a good defensive showing from the Ramblers and three Bulldogs errors, Loyola came up short on the final day of the tournament, and went 1-4 overall, in the Dome. 

Inside the Box Score 

• Haley Wallace, Skyler Croker and Bella Crimaldi each accounted for a run against Drake.  
• Croker, who also had one stolen base, and Katie Mitchell each added two RBIs, and Riley Owens had a multi-hit game. 
• Averi Vander Woude and Croke added one sacrificed hit apiece to advance Ramblers on base.  

Up Next 
Softball heads south to Tampa, Fla. to continue its early-season schedule at The Fonseca Memorial Tournament at USF where they face St. John's and South Florida on Friday, Feb. 14, and Penn State on Saturday, Feb. 15.