Blaine Kinsey

GoSycamores.com

CHICAGO—Senior pitcher Taylor Lockwood allowed just six hits an no earned runs but the Indiana State softball team fell to Loyola 1-0 in nine innings on cold and windy day in Chicago Tuesday.

The Sycamores threatened in the top of the first inning, loading the bases with one out but couldn't push any runs across. 

Lockwood held the Ramblers in check for much of the game, not allowing a runner to get past first base until the bottom of the seventh when Loyola loaded the bases with two outs before the Sycamores got out of the jam.

In the bottom of the eighth, after a leadoff single, the Sycamores turned their 28th double play of the season to extend the game into the ninth.

The Sycamores threatened in the top of the ninth as senior Alexa Cavin singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice by senior Abbie Malchow. Cavin then got to third on a wild pitch before freshman Monqiue Castillo was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners. Indiana State couldn't capitalize, however, as a groundout ended the inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, after a leadoff foul out, a Sycamore fielding error on an infield popup allowed the Ramblers a base runner before a single put runners on first and second. After a flyout, a walk loaded the bases before the Ramblers won the game in the bottom of the ninth on an infield single.

Junior Erika Crissman finished the game 2-4 with a stolen bases while Lockwood pitched 8.2 innings, allowing six hits with six strikeouts in the circle.

The Sycamores will next play at Purdue on Wednesday in West Lafayette, Ind.