Peyton Pepkowski’s Fearlessness Propels Her to Success for the Rambler Softball Team

Sophomore pitcher Peyton Pepkwoski’s passion and drive for softball has pushed her to be a  strong influence on the Loyola women’s softball team. In her two years as a Rambler, she set the record of most strikeouts for a first-year at Loyola, and won pitcher of the week in both the Missouri Valley and Atlantic 10 (A-10) conferences in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Throwing her most recent no-hitter March 5 at the Saluki Invitational in Carbondale, Illinois, Pepkowski said the Ramblers are excited to have entered conference play and see what the remainder of the season will bring. 

Pepkowski said she started playing the sport when she was five years old, always feeling confident that softball was right for her. In her childhood, she played a variety of sports, but when she got into softball and discovered that getting a degree while doing what she loved was an option, she decided to take it. 

Pepkowski said she attended Loyola not only because of her athletic career but because of the “big green flag” she found in Loyola’s academic program, as education has always been important for her. The statistics major said the hard work she has put into her softball career drove her to play the sport she loves today.

The idea of playing softball in college gave Pepkowski the push she needed to work harder.

Her consistency as a pitcher not only earned her an A-10’s Pitcher of the Week distinction March 8. According to Loyola Head Coach Alicia Abbott, it has also helped the team be the best they can be.

“I think ultimately when she’s consistent, the run production and batting average against helps our defense play better behind her,” Abbott said. “It helps propel that confidence knowing full well that if we need to score less runs, that’s a little easier on our offense.” 

Pepkowski said her recent accolade wouldn’t mean anything without the team she has behind her. She reflected on how she can have great games, but the support she has from her team makes it more special. 

The St. John, Indiana native recalled her first visit to Loyola before joining the team and said she felt welcomed to the team right away, knowing it was the right place for her.

“I can go to [my teammates] with anything, any of my coaches and there are not a lot of places where you can get an environment like that,” Pepkowski said. “This is basically a home away from home for me.” 

Abbott agreed Pepkowski has a lot to do with creating a family feeling within the team, which stems from her family. Her parents are always supporting her and the team at every game, no matter where they travel to. 

Pepkowski’s parents have always encouraged her to follow her dreams. She recalls her childhood, where her dad would do everything to help her get to where she wanted to go. 

“He would always go to the basement and catch for me, and he would find new drills for me to do, and he is the kind of guy who, if he doesn’t know a lot about something, he will research it until he is an expert at that level,” Pepkowski said about her father helping her with her pitching. 

In the 15 years she has been playing, Pepkowski said her love for the sport hasn’t stopped growing, turning the mound into a place where she can escape her day-to-day life.

The pitcher’s love and dedication for the sport is reflected in the way she plays, Abbott said, adding she puts everything out on the field. 

“I knew she would be great for Loyola because of what she brought to the table with who she already was,” Abbott said. “The fear doesn’t exist for her. She wants to accomplish anything and everything.”

Pepkowski said though her future after graduation remains unknown, she knows whatever she does, she hopes softball is included. 

Catch Pepkowski and the Ramblers will head to New York for their next game against St. Bonaventure University April 1. The double header’s first pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. with the next game starting shortly after at 1:30 p.m. and the third game beginning at 11 a.m. April 2. Broadcast information has yet to be announced.