Softball: Northwestern silences Loyola in a bounce back win

 A much-needed victory at the J. 

Following a dampening home-series loss, Northwestern (20-15-1, 9-4 B1G) tossed their jerseys into the dryer, ironed out their wrinkles and faced their home crowd once more.

The ‘Cats welcomed the Loyola Ramblers (12-30, 7-10 A-10) for a crosstown showdown Wednesday night. In run-rule fashion, sophomore pitcher Riley Grudzielanek shut down Loyola’s offense through four scoreless innings before freshman Emma Blea stepped in to close out the game and secure the victory in the circle.

Freshman Kaylie Avvisato ignited the scoring for the ‘Cats. Her two-RBI home run cleared the left field fence and drove in junior Kelsey Nader, who had knocked a double in the previous at-bat. Shortly after, a walk and a base hit paved the way for sophomore Isabel Cunnea’s single to etch in another run, making the score 3-0 with two outs.

In her first plate appearance since the end of March, red-shirt freshman Signe Dohse stepped up with two runners on. With a 2-2 count and a big swing, Dohse crushed it down the left-field line and gained her first collegiate home run, earning three more runs for the ‘Cats and a commanding 6-0 lead heading into the second inning.

With no outs, a walk and hit batter put Loyola in an ideal position, bringing their seventh-spot hitter, freshman Abby Johnson, to the plate. After the count hit 2-1, Johnson lifted the ball to center, advancing a runner to third but costing the Ramblers an out. Unable to capitalize, back-to-back ground outs ended the half-inning and left two runners stranded.

In the bottom of the second, singles by senior Grace Nieto and juniors Kelsey Nadar and Kansas Robinson, coupled with multiple throwing errors by the Ramblers, allowed two more to score for the ‘Cats — an impending run-rule already hung over Loyola’s head.

The top of the third saw a swift three up, three down and Northwestern was catapulted back onto offense. A leadoff walk set up senior Ayana Lindsey’s two-RBI home run down the left field line, before a fly-out and fielder’s choice closed the inning.

Loyola’s offense continued their struggle in the fourth as all hitters were retired in order.

On the other side, a comfortable lead allowed the ‘Cats to play with their line-up. Freshman Kate Dowden stepped in to pinch-hit for Robinson, displaying her speed and smashing a triple to right-center. Senior Lauren Curry, subbing in for junior Bridget Donahey, continued this trend and her single to left field scored Dowden to extend a 11-0 lead. Senior Lauren Sciborski rounded out the lineup changes, and she also produced for the ‘Cats with an RBI double.

Sophomore Grace Minarovic’s RBI single marked the final run for Northwestern before heading into the final stretch.

Facing a 13-run deficit and down to their final three outs, Loyola had a wall to climb. The ‘Cats brought in Blea to start the inning, and she allowed a runner to first through a hit-by-pitch, sparking some hope for the Ramblers. However, this was quickly stifled by a strikeout followed by a fielder’s choice and ground-out to give Northwestern a 13-0 victory.

Fresh off their win, the ‘Cats will travel to Piscataway, New Jersey, on April 18 to face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in their third-to-last weekend series of the season.