CHICAGO – In their first meeting in four years, Loyola Chicago (6-24, 1-5 A-10) secured a 2-0 shutout over crosstown rival DePaul on Tuesday, March 25 at Cacciatore Stadium. 

"I'm really proud of the way our team battled today. Peyton [Pepkowski] was outstanding in the circle, she stayed composed and made big pitches when we needed them," said head coach Alicia Abbott. "Our defense was sharp, and we found the ways to make runs against a tough DePaul team. I'm excited to see how we build on this momentum moving forward." 

How It Happened 
Senior pitcher Peyton Pepkowski was dominant in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout. She kept DePaul off the board through seven innings, allowing four hits, walking three batters and striking out seven, including two in the bottom of the seventh. 

Loyola struck early in the top of the first with leadoff hitter Sierra Sass singling out to left field and advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Haley Wallace. With two outs on the board, Nat Lesnicki reached first on a DePaul error and Sass scored.  

 After several scoreless innings, the Ramblers added their second run in the sixth. Lesnicki hit a double to center field and was replaced with pinch-runner Katie Mitchell. Mitchell stole third base and came home on an RBI single by Maddy Hickey to put Loyola ahead, 2-0. 

In the bottom of the sixth, the Blue Demons threatened with two runners on base after back-to-back singles. However, Pepkowski delivered a strikeout then the Ramblers' defense made a double play to finish the frame.  

Inside the Box Score 

• Lesnicki led Loyola's offense with a 1-for-4 at bat performance, including the game's only extra-base hit.  
• Hickey contributed an RBI single.  
• Pepkowski recorded the first shutout for the Ramblers this season.
• The victory snaps more than a decade long drought in the series between the two programs. 

Up Next 
The Ramblers stay home to host Rhode Island in their third Atlantic 10 series of the season.