Boxscore (PDF)
ROSEMONT, Ill. (February 9, 2018)
In Short
Valerie Vidal tossed a three-hit shutout and Lauren Paige went 4-for-4 with a home run as Northern Colorado made an early lead hold up en route to a 5-0 victory over Loyola University Chicago (0-1) this afternoon at the Total Control Sports Invitational at The Dome.
How It Happened
Northern Colorado got on the board by plating three runs in the top of the second inning for an early lead and never looked back. Jordyn Wiatrak's one-out RBI single put the Bears on top and following a walk to Mady Young, Emma Brockmann laced a two-run triple to right center that cleared the bases and extended the UNC lead to 3-0.
Shannon McGee led off the bottom of the first with a base hit but that was the only hit and base runner Loyola could manage against Bears starter Valerie Vidal until the bottom of the sixth, when the Ramblers got the tying run to the plate. McGee coaxed a two-out walk and
Katie Polaski followed with an infield single, which brought
Katie Kasubke to the plate, with eyes on tying the game. Kasubke had a solid at-bat, fouling off three pitches, but Vidal worked her way out of trouble with a strikeout to preserve UNC's three-run lead.
Northern Colorado added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh, one of which came on a solo home run off the bat of Lauren Paige.
A Look At The Numbers
- McGee, Polaski and Brooke Wilson tallied Loyola's hits on the day.
- Vidal scattered three hits, walking one and striking out five for the Bears.
Up Next
Loyola takes on Wright State today at 4:30 p.m. Central.
