BRONX, N.Y. – Loyola Chicago (4-21, 0-2 A-10) fell to Fordham in the opening doubleheader of Atlantic 10 (A-10) play on Saturday, March 15 at Bahoshy Field.
How It Happened
Game One: Loyola 2, Fordham 5
In game one of the Ramblers' first A-10 doubleheader, the Rams jumped on the board early with a four-run second inning, powered by Neleh Nogay's bases-clearing triple. Loyola responded with solo runs in the fifth and sixth frames. Maddy Hickey homered in the fifth, her third of the season, and rookie Kaci Rigby added an RBI single in the sixth. Despite outhitting Fordham 9-8, Loyola left eight runners stranded.
Starting pitcher Peyton Pepkowski, now 1-14, took the loss for Loyola, allowing five runs (three earned) over six innings while striking out two. The Rams added an insurance run in the sixth inning when Nogay doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly. Fordham shut down Loyola in the seventh, sealing the victory for the Rams.
Inside the Box Score
Game Two: Loyola 4, Fordham 7
Loyola fell, 7-4, to Fordham in a doubleheader sweep as Fordham's offense put up a three-run homer and five RBIs. Rams' pitcher Emilee Watkins pitched a complete game to earn the win. Fordham set the tone early with a four-run first inning. Loyola scored its first run in the opening inning frame after Wallace drove in Sass on a sacrifice fly. The Ramblers made a push in the fifth with three runs, highlighted by a two-run double from Croker.
Fordham responded quickly, plating three more runs in the fourth, extending its lead to 7-1. Andie Broniewicz, 3-5 overall, took the loss for Loyola after giving up seven runs on nine hits through 3.1 innings. Hickey provided 2.2 scoreless innings of relief for the Ramblers.
Inside the Box Score
- Sass, Owens, Croker and rookie Averi Vander Woude accounted for Loyola's four runs.
- Croker led with two hits while Sass, Owens and Nat Lesnicki each added one.
- Broniewicz struck out three batters while Hickey recorded two.
Up Next
The Ramblers close out their series against Fordham tomorrow, Sunday, March 16 at 11 a.m. CT.