How It Happened
Rhode Island (16-26-1, 6-10 Atlantic 10) could not generate any scoring on the day as it dropped both ends of a doubleheader at Loyola Chicago. The Rams fell 2-0 and 4-0 to the Ramblers (20-21, 13-6 A-10).

Game 1 - Loyola Chicago 2, Rhode Island 0
Loyola got a pair of runs with two outs in the bottom of the first inning to get all the offense it needed in the opener. Madison Ebeling started the inning with a single through the left side and she eventually stole second. Sydney Barnett singled to center to drive her in with the first run and then scored on a triple off the bat of Haley Wallace.

From there, Loyola starter Peyton Pepkowski (10-10) took care of things. Despite allowing eight hits, she also struck out 10 batters and kept the Rams off the scoreboard. Rhode Island squandered a golden opportunity in the top of the fourth when it loaded the bases with no outs and was unable to score. Rachel Zingerman drilled a triple to left field. Skyler Rapuano and Elena Gonzalez reached on back-to-back bunt singles that Zingerman was not able to advance on. However, Pepkowski struck out Becca Zawistowski and Caitlin O'Leary before getting Vicki Viaclovsky to pop out to end the threat.

An inning later, Hannah Hernandez led off with a bunt single and stole second base to get into scoring position. She moved to third on a groundout, but again the Rams could not get her home. In the top of the seventh, Hannah Hernandez singled to get the potential tying run to the plate. However, she was thrown out trying to steal, and the Rams were unable to mount a comeback.

Game 2 - Loyola Chicago 4, Rhode Island 2
A two-out rally started by an error cost Rhode Island in the second game. With two down in the bottom of the fifth, Skyler Rapuano misplayed a fly ball to right for an error, allowing Tori Boysen to reach. Sierra Sass followed with an infield single on a squibber to first base, and Madison Ebeling took advantage, drilling a double to right center to drive in both runners.

The Ramblers put the game away with a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Rhode Island managed a run in the top of the seventh. Rachel Zingerman and Skyler Rapuano reached on back-to-back singles with one down. Zingerman stole third and then scored on a throwing error. Rapuano later came in when Becca Zawistowski delivered a two-out single. Rhody got the potential tying run on base when Emily Power drew a walk, but pinch hitter Vicki Viaclovsky popped out on the first pitch she saw to end the game.
 
Inside the Box Scores

• Five of Rhode Island's eight hits in the first game never left the infield. The Rams had four bunt singles and a tapper to the pitcher that resulted in a single.
• URI pitchers Liz Lynchard and Ashley Hibbard combined to limit the Ramblers to just one hit after the first inning in the first game.
• Hibbard was outstanding in relief in Game One, hurling 2.2 scoreless innings. She fanned three batters and gave up just one hit.
• Rhode Island outhit Loyola 8-4 in the first game, despite getting shut out. The Rams had at least one hit in every inning except the first in the opener.
• Freshman Hannah Hernandez singled twice and had one stolen base in the first game.
• Graduate student Elena Gonzalez had a pair of bunt singled in the first game.
• Senior Rachel Zingerman had her fifth triple of the season. She entered the weekend ranked 30th in the country in the category. She added a single in the second game and scored Rhody's lone run of the day.
• Senior Skyler Rapuano singled once in each game and also walked in the first game.
• Freshman Becca Zawistowski singled once in each game and had one RBI in the second game.
• Freshman Kylie Bulinski and sophomore Emily Power each had one single in the second game. Power also drew a walk in the nightcap.

What's Next
Rhode Island and Loyola close out the three-game series Sunday with a single game. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. EST on ESPN+.