May 10, 2008

Box Score

CHICAGO - Amy Solava threw a complete game and picked up the win for the second time in as many games this morning to help power No. 4 seed Loyola University Chicago (22-24-1) to a 3-1 victory over fifth-seeded UIC at the Horizon League Championship at Loyola Softball Park. With the win, the Ramblers advance to face top-seeded Cleveland State in an elimination game at 2 p.m., while UIC's season has come to a close.

For the second straight game, Loyola pulled off a suicide squeeze to pick up its first run of the game. Nora Schober's bunt down the third base line in the bottom of the first inning scored pinch runner Kaycee Tharp as she just eluded the tag of UIC third baseman Brittany Wilson to put the Ramblers on top, 1-0.

Loyola added a pair of insurance runs in the second inning when Ellen Kresl laced a double to the gap in left center to score Haley Ambrosch and Stephanie Cihlar for a 3-0 Maroon and Gold advantage.

Solava held the Flames bats at bay until the sixth inning when catcher Stephanie Chavez cracked a solo home run to left field to cut the Loyola lead to 3-1. Solava made quick work of UIC in the top of the seventh to pick up her 16th victory of the year.

Schober has now reached base safely in each of the last 14 contests as Loyola won for the seventh time in the last eight games. Solava scattered five hits and struck out three as the Ramblers kept their postseason hopes alive.