Loyola took a break from Atlantic 10 for a single game against North Shore rival Northwestern.
Loyola took a break from Atlantic 10 for a single game against North Shore rival Northwestern.
The Loyola softball team took a break from Atlantic 10 play March 26 for a single game against North Shore rival Northwestern University in their final non-conference game of the season.
The Ramblers entered the game against Northwestern 14-14 overall and 3-3 in conference. In their most recent series against George Mason, the Ramblers recorded 19 runs and 29 hits.
Quiet for the opening two innings, the Wildcats earned the first three runs of the game in the bottom of the third after a three-run home run by fifth-year Wildcat outfielder Angela Zedak, which brought in second-year infielder Bridget Donahey and first-year infielder Grace Minarovic.
Loyola tried to rally back starting with the first at-bat of the fifth inning when first-year infielder Liza Sedakis hit a home run to left center — the first of her collegiate career.
After the Ramblers swapped third-year pitcher Peyton Pepkowski for fourth-year pitcher Bailey Johnson, the Wildcats answered back with another home run from second-year infielder Kansas Robinson, bringing the score to 4-1.
Two back-to-back walks of Zedak and Donahey allowed for a three-RBI home run from fourth-year infielder Hannah Cady to extend Northwestern’s lead to 7-1.
In the top of the sixth, the Ramblers attempted another rally with a single from third-year infielder Haley Wallace. Fourth-year infielder Sydney Barnett was walked, putting Wallace in scoring position.
A ground out by first-year infielder Nat Lesnicki got Wallace to third and Barnett to second. After fourth-year outfielder Teagan Sopczak was walked, a wild pitch allowed her to make her way to second, while Barnett moved over to third and Wallace came across the plate to score.
On another passed ball, Barnett crossed the plate to tighten the score at 7-3. Sedakis walked and made her way and stole second before the final out was made by fourth-year infielder Hannah Nalley to close out the sixth.
Pepkowski and first-year utility player Maddy Hickey combined for seven strikeouts while the rest of the Ramblers totaled five hits.
Both teams remained scoreless in the seventh inning, securing the Wildcat win 7-3.
Featured image by Megan Dunn | The Phoenix
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