CHICAGO — After falling in game one, Loyola Chicago (19-31, 14-11 A-10) bounced back to take game two in the series against George Washington on Saturday, May 3 at Loyola Softball Park. 

"The message today was to finish strong, and you want to prep yourself in a way for the conference tournament that helps set you ahead a little bit. For us, that's going to be making sure we're adjusting the pitchers, keeping pitches sharp and being smooth on the bases and on defense," said head coach Alicia Abbott. "Andie [Broniewicz] threw a great game two, Pep [Peyton Pepkowski] came in with the close and Maddy [Hickey] finished out the seventh in the first game really well. Offensively, we did great, just had to clean a few things, defensively and pitching wise."

Game One: Loyola 9, George Washington 10
The series opener saw an offensive explosion as both teams combined for 19 runs and 23 hits. Loyola built a 6-1 lead through two innings behind a four-run second, sparked by a two-run single from senior Riley Owens which allowed rookies Abby Johnson and Averi Vander Woude to score. After a pitching change, Wallace reached on a bunt then advanced to third thanks to a George Washington throwing error which allowed Owens to cross home plate. Nat Lesnicki hit a sacrifice fly to run in Wallace and close out the second frame. 

In the top of the third, George Washington responded with a three-run inning to close the deficit to 6-4. Wallace stole home in the fourth to inch the Ramblers back ahead, 7-4, but it wasn't enough to stave off another three-run frame from the Revolutionaries who tied the ballgame at 7-7 heading into the bottom of the fifth. Loyola continued to rally as Johnson hit an RBI-single for Sass to score then shortly after Owens was back up to bat and doubled to the left field, allowing Johnson to round out the bases and put the Ramblers back ahead, 9-7. 

However, George Washington put the game away, 10-9, in the sixth after capitalizing on a Loyola throwing error. Despite two more hits from Lesnicki and Vander Woude, the Ramblers couldn't complete the comeback and sophomore Maddy Hickey took the loss for Loyola from inside the circle. 

Inside the Box Score 

• Pepkowski recorded five strikeouts through 4.1 innings while Hickey retired one through 2.2. 
• Wallace was the run leader with three for a season-high. 
• Three Ramblers had multi-hit games: Wallace (3), Lesnicki (3) and Owens (2). 
• The Ramblers tallied their 11th game with double-digit hits. 

Game Two: Loyola 3, George Washington 2
Loyola answered with a gritty effort in game two, edging out George Washington, 3-2, behind timely hitting and strong pitching by the senior tandem of Andie Broniewicz and Peyton Pepkowski. After a scoreless opening inning, the Ramblers struck first in the second as Wallace grounded out to second and allowed Owens to run home. Shortly afterwards, Owens rallied for another run in the third as Lesnicki launched an RBI-single. 

The Ramblers maintained their 2-0 lead for one inning before the Revolutionaries knotted it up, 2-2 in the top of the fifth, but not for long. To close out the fifth frame, Wallace delivered the game-winning blow with a solo home run — her first of the season. Broniewicz earned the win, tossing 6.1 innings of six-hit ball before Pepkowski closed the door with a two-out save. The pair stranded eight Revolutionaries baserunners, including two in the final frame.

Inside the Box Score

• Broniewicz recorded three strikeouts in game two. 
• Wallace homered for the first time this season and seventh overall in her career. 
• Owens led the Ramblers with two runs and a 2-for-3 performance at the plate.

Up Next
The Ramblers take on the Revolutionaries in game three tomorrow, Sunday, May 4 at 12 p.m. for their last home game of the 2025 season. Loyola will celebrate its five seniors in a postgame ceremony.