Loyola Softball Sweep St. Bonaventure in Weekend Matchups

The Loyola softball team welcomed St. Bonaventure University to Loyola Softball Park for a three-game sweep April 13-14. Loyola saw three of their pitchers on the mound this weekend, including a no-hitter by third-year Andie Broniewicz.

Game One

Action started between the Ramblers and the Bonnies in the bottom of the third, beginning with a single from fourth-year infielder Jocelyn Currie. Currie advanced to second on a ground out from fourth-year outfielder Ava Bienemen and scored on a double by third-year infielder Haley Wallace. A home run to left field by fourth-year infielder Sydney Barnett brought her and Wallace home, giving Loyola an early 3-0 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Ramblers got three players on base following a Barnett single and two walks by first-year infielder Liz Sedakis and first-year infielder Nat Lesnicki. With fourth-year outfielder Sophia Remsik pinch running for Barnett, a sacrifice fly by third-year outfielder Teagan Sopczak brought her home for the fourth and final Rambler run. 

With the 4-0 win, third-year pitcher Peyton Pepkowski secured a shutout while striking out a career high 17 batters. 

Game Two

Second-year outfielder Sierra Sass sparked the team’s momentum in the bottom of the second with a single before stealing second base. On an error by the Bonnies, second-year catcher Abbie Gregus made her way from first to third and Sass made her way home for a 1-0 lead.

With Bienemen on second after a walk and a steal, a ground out from Wallace put her on third before a Barnett single got her across home plate. First-year outfielder Katie Mitchell, pinch running for Barnett, stole second. 

A single by fourth-year infielder Hannah Nalley put Mitchell on third before a walk by third-year infielder Bella Crimaldi brought her home, putting the Ramblers up 3-0.

In the bottom of the fifth, Nalley singled up the middle and advanced to second on a wild pitch. On a ground out by Sass, Nalley made it to third and a sacrifice bunt by Sopczak to the pitcher proved enough to bring her in for the 4-0 lead. 

The game was third-year pitcher Andie Broniewicz’s second no-hitter of her career and the ninth in program history. 

“Today was a great day for our Ramblers,” head coach Alicia Abbott said in a press release. “Our pitchers did an excellent job both games and our hitters manufactured the runs they needed. I’m proud of how they showed up and did their jobs today.”

Game Three 

Both teams were quiet in the first two innings until the Ramblers got things started with a single from Sopczak. Bienemen followed with a triple to left center, sending Sopczak home for the first run of the day.

On a fielder’s choice, Wallace made it to first and advanced to second on a throwing error by second-year Bonnies shortstop Reanna Perkins. Bienemen made her way home on the error,  putting the Ramblers up 2-0.

The Bonnies began the fifth inning with fourth-year infielder Kennedy Haberl on first after a walk. Haberl made it to second on a throwing error by Wallace. A double to right center by fourth-year St. Bonaventure outfielder Brooke Bobbey brought Haberl home for the only Bonnie run of the game.

In the bottom of the fifth, Sopczak doubled to right center, putting herself in scoring position early in the inning. With Bienemen on first after being walked, Sedakis singled to centerfield bringing in Sopczak and advanced to second on Bobbey throwing error. Bienemen made it to third on this error as well. Bienemen scored on a wild pitch, putting the Ramblers up 4-1.

In the bottom of the sixth, a double by Sass put her on second before a fly ball to the infield by first-year infielder Skyler Crocker got her to third with only one out. Sopczak, on first after being hit by a pitch, stole second. On an error by Haberl at second, Sass made it home for the fifth and final rambler Run.

The game was fourth-year pitcher Bailey Johnson’s first win this season, pitching a season high five innings.

The Ramblers will return to the park to welcome the Saint Louis University Billikens April 20-21 with games starting at 12 p.m. both days. Following the second game on Saturday, the Ramblers will host their annual Home Run Derby. 

Featured Image by Megan Dunn | The Phoenix