Lauren Moore was named Horizon League Player of the Week for the first time in her career
 
Lauren Moore was named Horizon League Player of the Week for the first time in her career
 
 
Loyola Sweeps Horizon League Softball Weekly Awards

Moore, Gardner recognized by Horizon League for their performances last weekend

Feb. 26, 2013

CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago juniors Lauren Moore (Antioch, Ill./Antioch) and Brittany Gardner (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) have been named Horizon League Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week respectively, it was announced today by the conference office. The award is the fifth of Gardner's career and first for Moore.

At the season-opening Kickin' Chicken Classic hosted by Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, S.C. last weekend, Moore batted .500 (5 for 10) with a pair of home runs, four RBI, and a 1.100 slugging percentage. The third baseman couldn't have scripted a better start to her season as she walloped a three-run home run in her first at-bat of the year as part of a 3-for-4 performance in the Ramblers' 7-0 win over Rhode Island on February 22.

The sure-handed Moore followed that up with a solo home run and a single in Loyola's 5-1 loss to Coastal Carolina on February 24. Dating back to last season, she has now played 21 consecutive games without committing an error at the hot corner, and she has hit safely in eight of the Ramblers' last 11 outings.

Meanwhile, Gardner picked up where she left off last season when she was named Horizon League Pitcher of the Year, Second Team All-Great Lakes Region, and was a three-time Horizon League Pitcher of the Week selection. The lefthander went 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA and only seven hits allowed in 14.0 innings, while striking out 12 last weekend at the Kickin' Chicken Classic.

Gardner opened the season in brilliant fashion, tossing her second career one-hitter, while also striking out six, in a 7-0 victory versus Rhode Island. She then struck out a half dozen Chanticleers and scattered six hits in a 5-3 loss to Coastal Carolina in game two of a doubleheader on February 24. Gardner now ranks tied with Korrie Kiler (1995-98) for fourth on Loyola's career chart with 33 wins and sits third with 404 strikeouts.

Loyola heads to Florida for its Spring Break trip and opens action Friday (March 1) when it faces Quinnipiac and Florida Gulf Coast at the USF Under Armour Invitational.