TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Amanda Guercio used both power hitting and small ball to drive in three runs as Indiana State rallied back for a 5-3 win over Loyola Sunday to claim the Missouri Valley Conference series over the Ramblers.
 
With the win, Indiana State (25-27, 12-14) finishes the year fifth in The Valley after the coaches projected the Sycamores to finish last in the preseason prognostications, marking the best finish for the Sycamores in league play since 1991. Loyola (23-27, 9-16) saw their season come to an end after falling Sunday coupled with Bradley's win over Evansville.
 
The Ramblers scored all three runs in the third inning and it could have been more, but the Sycamores were saved by an inch. With one run already in and bases loaded, Jamie O'Brien smashed the ball to right field, hitting the wall almost an inch from the top. A strong gust of win and the Rambler senior would have had a grand slam, instead only one run scored on the play and one more after that, keeping the Loyola tally at three.
 
The next inning, Guercio laid down a sacrifice bunt with runners on second and third to drive in Bella Peterson. Rebecca Gibbs followed with a single for herself as the Trees tied the game in the fourth.
 
Two innings later, Guercio was the hero again with a double to right field, driving in a pair of runs that put the Sycamores on top for good.
 
Abbey Kruzel (6-7) was credited with the win after holding the Ramblers scoreless over 4 2/3 innings, allowing only three hits. Kiley Jones (17-12) allowed five runs – two earned – on five hits in a complete game performance for Loyola.
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME
On Senior Day, it was a freshman that stole the spotlight. Amanda Guercio was 1-for-2 with 3 RBIs in the game, driving in runs with both a sacrifice bunt and a double. She made nine putouts at first base, including on the double play that ended the game.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
Indiana State recorded only five hits in the game marking the first time since March 3 that the Sycamores have recorded five or fewer hits and still won.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD

• Win: Abbey Kruzel, Indiana State (6-7)
• Loss: Kiley Jones, Loyola (17-12)
• Save: None

RECORDS UPDATE

• Indiana State: 25-27 (12-14 MVC)
• Loyola: 23-27 (9-16 MVC)

NOTABLES

• Indiana State is now 11-11 all-time against Loyola. The Sycamores have a 9-3 mark against the Ramblers when playing in Terre Haute.
• Michael Perniciaro is now 2-1 all-time against Loyola as a head coach.
• The Sycamores finished fifth in The Valley marking the program's best finish in conference since 1991 when Indiana State tied for fifth in the Gateway Conference with a league mark of 8-8.
• The 12 conference wins Indiana State recorded this season are the second-most in school history.
• Amanda Guercio tied a career-best with three RBIs, matching the three runs she drove in at Purdue on April 11, 2018.
• Bella Peterson's two runs scored tied a career-high.
• Leslie Sims registered her 44^th career stolen base in the game, moving her into a tie for fourth in career steals at Indiana State alongside Emily Stuck (1997-2000).
• The 25 wins that Indiana State has recorded this season ties the 2006 team as the sixth most number of wins recorded in a single season in ISU history.

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