CHICAGO -- Loyola Chicago closed out the regular season finale with a 10-8 victory over Fordham on Sunday, May 3 at Loyola Softball Park. The Ramblers finished 26-22 overall and 18-6 in Atlantic 10 play, matching the program record for most conference wins in a single season. For the first time ever, Loyola claimed the No. 1 seed in the A-10 Tournament after clinching the regular season championship last week.
Redshirt sophomore Liz Sedakis was the power output for the Ramblers, going 2-for-4 with a season-high four RBI, a double and a home run. Sophomore shortstop Alli Pawlowicz also put together a standout day at the plate, going 1-for-3 with her second home run of the weekend, a walk and two RBI.
How It Happened
Trailing 1-0, Loyola scored twice in the first inning, with one run coming across on Adelina Staden's single. The Rams then tied the ballgame at two before the Ramblers came back to reclaim their advantage in the third inning. Freshman Evelyn Miller hit an RBI single for a 3-2 lead.
Fordham fought back to tie it once again before Loyola responded with four runs in the fourth inning, sparked by Sedakis' and Pawlowicz's homers. The Rams closed the gap to 7-6, but the Ramblers added some more cushion with a three-run fifth frame, punctuated by a two-run single off the bat of Staden. Fordham put two more runs up before the game was over, but Loyola prevailed with the 10-8 win.
Inside the Box Score
- Staden recorded a career-high three RBI.
- Loyola went 4-for-13 (.308) with runners in scoring position.
- The Ramblers drew seven walks from the Rams' pitching.
Up Next
The Ramblers take on the winner of Fordham/Saint Joseph's next Thursday, May 9, at 12 p.m. in St. Louis, Mo.
