BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Loyola scored five runs in the top of the second to take a 5-1 lead and held on for the 11-8 victory against Campbell Tuesday evening at Amanda Littlejohn Stadium.
Rachel McCollum recorded a game-high four RBIs and two home runs for the Orange and Black, while Amber Schisler and Taesha DuBoise extended their hitting streaks to five games, each recording one hit on the day.
Campbell scratched the scoreboard first as McCollum recorded a solo home run to centerfield, her third of the season giving Campbell a 1-0 lead.
The Ramblers answered back in the top of the second inning as they scored five runs in three consecutive at-bats to take a 5-1 lead. Hannah Jenkins began the scoring with a bases loaded sacrifice fly to centerfield, scoring Katie Kasubke. One batter later, Jamie O'Brien, singled to right field, scoring one run to give Loyola a 2-1 lead. Alyssa Mannucci topped off the inning as she hit a three-run home run to left centerfield, increasing the lead to 5-1.
In the top of the third inning, Amber Schisler recorded her 26th RBI of the season as she grounded out to second base, allowing Megan Mozingo to score from third base. One hitter later, McCollum recorded her second RBI of the day as she hit a line drive to center, scoring DuBoise and trimming the deficit to 5-3.
Campbell was unable to hold Loyola in the top of the fourth as Brooke Wyderski hit a three-run home run to right centerfield, increasing the Ramblers' lead to 8-3.
Neither team was able to put runs on the board until the bottom of the fifth inning when Bailey Bjorson homered a high and inside pitch to left field, pulling within 8-4. For the third consecutive time, Loyola answered in the top half of the next inning with a Katie Kasubke three-run home run, taking a seven run lead, 11-4.
The Fighting Camels scored four runs over the next two innings, to cut the deficit to 11-8 before the final out. In the bottom of the sixth, Lizabeth McCurry connected on a RBI single to centerfield, allowing Madison Herring to score from second base.
After three quick pop outs in the top half, Campbell attacked in the bottom of the seventh inning. Schisler extended her hitting streak with her double to left centerfield that plated Caroline Smith from second, closing the Loyola lead to 11-6. McCollum hit her second home run of the night with a two-run shot towards the Campbell bullpen in left centerfield, bringing the deficit to three. Herring was able to get on but next two batters were able to continue the comeback as a strikeout and fly out ended the contest.
Amber Schisler took her second loss of the season in 3.0 innings of work, while Ashley Rogers remained perfect for the Ramblers, improving to 6-0 on the season.
Campbell returns to the diamond Saturday afternoon for a doubleheader against Bryant beginning at 1 p.m. inside Amanda Littlejohn Stadium.
