April 27, 2014
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CHICAGO - In a rubber match between two of the Missouri Valley Conference's top pitchers, the Loyola University Chicago softball team emerged victorious, 1-0, over Evansville today to earn a series win on Senior Day at Loyola Softball Park in Chicago, Ill. Behind a complete-game shut out from Brittany Gardner, the Ramblers improve to 21-28 overall and 10-13 in conference play.
"After splitting yesterday's doubleheader, we knew we needed to come out here and play tough softball in order to earn a series win over Evansville," said head coach Missy Beseres. "That's exactly what we did, and I'm really happy with the adjustments we made in the batter's box against a pitcher like Megan (Gurski). It was also a very special day to honor our seniors and all of the work they've put into this program. The best part about it is we have a lot more softball left to play this season, and I'm looking forward to watching our team compete against top Valley competition."
Making her final start in the circle at Loyola Softball Park, Gardner shut down the Purple Aces in the top of the first inning, striking out the first batter she faced. The lefthander then let her defense work for the final two outs of the frame, forcing two flyouts to retire the Evansville side.
Loyola was the first to get on the board in the bottom of the second inning, capitalizing on an Annie Korth sacrifice fly. After Tarran Shaffer drew a walk and Olivia Bell beat out a bunt single to start the inning, the Evansville centerfielder dove to catch Korth's flyout, allowing Shaffer to tag up and score and give the Ramblers a 1-0 lead.
After both teams went down in order in the third inning, the Purple Aces threatened to strike when they loaded the bases on an error, walk and hit by pitch in the top of the fourth inning. Gardner got out of the jam with a strikeout, however, escaping the frame unscathed.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Loyola broke the game open after a one-out rally loaded the bases on a Katy LaCivita walk and two singles from Jacquelyn Murphy and Lauren Zaworski. Two passed balls from Evansville ace Megan Gurski then allowed two Ramblers to score, and a third run crossed home plate when the Evansville short stop could not handle a hard-hit ground ball from Jessica Balzano. Loyola's 4-0 lead would hold up for the rest of the contest, giving the Ramblers the series win over the Purple Aces.
Four Ramblers contributed one hit a piece in the victory, with Balzano and Korth collecting one RBI each. Gardner earned the victory in the circle, giving up just two hits and striking out seven in seven innings pitched.
Ramblers are back in action next weekend when they travel to Cedar Falls, Iowa to take on Northern Iowa in their final three-game series of the regular season. The two teams will kick off the weekend with a noon CT doubleheader on Saturday and wrap up with a noon CT finale on Sunday.
