CHICAGO – Dayton took both games of the doubleheader against Loyola Chicago (12-28, 7-9) on Saturday, April 12 at Loyola Softball Park to clinch the weekend series with a 5-2 win in the morning and a 3-2 victory in the afternoon.
Game One: Loyola 2, Dayton 5
In the opener, the Flyers jumped out early with four runs in the first two innings and never looked back. Juliana Gonzalez delivered the key blow with a two-run single in the second inning, while Izzy Kemp held the Ramblers in check from the circle. Despite a two-run homer from Bella Crimaldi, her first of the season, in the bottom of the frame, Loyola couldn't get past Dayton. Peyton Pepkowski (6-18) took the loss for Loyola, allowing four earned runs and eight hits from inside the circle.
Inside the Box Score
- Crimaldi led the Ramblers going 2-for-3, including a double to go with her second-inning homer.
- Riley Owens and Nat Lesnicki each added a hit.
Game Two: Loyola 2, Dayton 3
In the afternoon game, Loyola briefly took control with a two-run third inning, highlighted by RBI singles from Sierra Sass and Lesnicki. Starting pitcher Andie Broniewicz kept Dayton quiet until the seventh, when the Flyers mounted a late comeback. Trailing 2-1 in the final frame, Dayton rallied with a two-run home run from Ella Holman, pushing them ahead. Despite outhitting the Flyers 8-4, the Ramblers stranded eight runners and couldn't overcome the late-inning swing. Crimaldi added two more hits on the day, finishing the doubleheader 4-for-6 at the plate.
Inside the Box Score
- Crimaldi added two more hits on the day and finished the doubleheader going 4-for-6 at the plate.
- Alli Pawlowicz also had two hits and Owens, Lesnicki, Sass and Haley Wallace each had one.
Up Next
The Ramblers wrap up the series with Dayton tomorrow, Sunday, April 13 at 12 p.m.
