Ramblers Complete Sweep of Rhode Island

The Loyola softball team returned to Loyola Softball Park March 29-30, sweeping all three games in two days against the University of Rhode Island.

Game 1: March 29

Loyola got off to a hot start in the first game when fourth-year infielder Haley Wallace delivered an RBI sacrifice bunt, reaching first on a fielder’s choice by Rams third-year catcher Kylie Bulinski.

Third-year outfielder Sierra Sass was the first Rambler to cross home plate for a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

Loyola’s lead jumped to 2-0 shortly after, as second-year infielder Nat Lesnicki brought in fourth-year outfielder Riley Owens on an RBI groundout.

A sacrifice fly to right field by second-year utility player Maddy Hickey brought home Wallace, and a single by second-year infielder Skyler Croker turned into yet another run for the Ramblers. 

After a fielding error from Rams second-year outfielder Sydney Orndorff on Croker’s hit, the Ramblers found themselves up 4-0 after just one inning. 

Following three quiet innings, the Rams got on the board with a double to left field by fourth-year infielder Emily Power, bringing in Bulinski for the first and only Ram run of the game.

A two-RBI double to center by Wallace in the bottom of the fourth secured a 6-1 final score and victory for the Ramblers. 

Game 2: March 29

The second game of the day included limited action, with scoring only coming from the fourth inning.

After Wallace tripled to left field, an RBI flyout to center field by Lesnicki brought Wallace home for the first run of the game. 

Fourth-year infielder Bella Crimaldi singled to right center, putting her on first, and Croker and first-year infielder Alli Pawlowicz were hit by back-to-back pitches from Rams third-year pitcher Ashley Hibbard to load the bases.

First-year outfielder Averi Vander Woude stepped up to the plate and was walked, bringing in Crimaldi for the last run of the game.

In the must-score top of the seventh inning, first-year Rams outfielder Ella Morris reached first base on a throwing error from Pawlowicz and later advanced to second after a single to the pitcher by first-year infielder Julianne Torres. 

A groundout put both Morris and Torres in scoring position, but a third and final fly out to right field from fourth-year Ram outfielder Noelle Sterner rendered them scoreless in a 2-0 loss to the Ramblers. 

Game 3: March 30

In the second day of the weekend matchup, the Rams had a promising start when third-year outfielder Mandi Hanewitch hit a triple down the right field line. But two straight outs immediately after left the Rams unable to convert any runs.

The Ramblers opened the bottom of the first with a sacrifice RBI flyout to center field, bringing in Owens for the first run of the game.

In the Rams’ second inning, Power was walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch by fourth-year pitcher Peyton Pepkowski.

Torres hit a two-RBI single and advanced to second base on the throw, putting the Rams ahead 2-1.

An inning later, Hickey hit an RBI single, bringing in Wallace before advancing to second on the throw to tie the game at two.

With the bases loaded, Croker hit a three-RBI double to bring in Crimaldi, Hickey and Lesnicki, putting the Ramblers up by three runs.

The Ramblers’ offensive surge continued in the fifth, with Crocker hitting a single to left field to bring in second-year outfielder Katie Mitchell for a 6-2 lead.

In the same inning, Pawlowicz smashed a walkoff grand slam, ending the game in the fifth due to the eight-run mercy rule to give the Ramblers a 10-2 win and series sweep over the Rams.

Head coach Alicia Abbott said offensive efforts in the wins were buoyed by all three pitchers executing high-strikeout-low-walk gameplans. 

“They came out this weekend making sure that they were going to put enough runs on the board and keep [Rhode Island] from scoring enough runs and executed really really well to make that happen so they could protect the red kingdom,” head coach Alicia Abbott said, referring to Hoyne Field. “So I love to see that out of them.”

Conference play continues with Loyola traveling to St. Bonaventure, N.Y., where they take on the Bonnies of St. Bonaventure University in a weekend matchup April 5-6 at Joyce Field. The games can be streamed on ESPN+ and begin at 11 a.m. both days.