CHICAGO – Indiana State broke open a scoreless game in the sixth with a Rebecca Gibbs' RBI fielder's choice but gave up back-to-back RBI hits in the seventh to fall at Loyola Chicago, 2-1, in the series and doubleheader opener Saturday.
 
Neither team had been able to plate a run until Gibbs pinch hit for Becky Malchow in the sixth with a pair of runners in scoring position and one out thanks to a leadoff single by Bella Peterson followed by a Rambler error then a sacrifice bunt. Gibbs' ground ball to second send Peterson across the plate to give Indiana State (13-21, 1-8 Missouri Valley) the 1-0 lead.
 
But facing the game's final three outs, Loyola (18-14, 2-8) responded in the bottom of the seventh. A leadoff single and a sacrifice bunt gave the Ramblers a runner in scoring position when Jordyn Cordell hit a double down the left field line to tie the game. In the next at bat Jessica Shields, who led Loyola with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate, drove in the winning run with a single up the middle.
 
Overall the Sycamores had chances to break open the scoreless draw throughout the game but would strand a total of 11 runners on base in the contest. The loss put a disappointing mark on an impressive complete game performance by Gabbi Schnaiter (6-9), who allowed just two runs on seven hits while striking out four and walking two. Kiley Jones (10-6) claimed the win after allowing just one run on eight hits in her complete game performance while walking two and fanning one.
 
Peterson was 2-for-3 at the plate overall with a walk while Leslie Sims was 2-for-3 and a stolen base.
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Rebecca Gibbs claims this honor as she took advantage of her opportunity in the clutch. A pinch hitter in the top of the sixth, Gibbs broke open a scoreless game with an RBI fielder's choice to drive in Indiana State's lone run of the game.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
Indiana State stranded 11 runners on base throughout the seven inning game, the fourth time ISU has stranded 10-plus runners aboard in a game this season.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD

• Win: Kiley Jones, Loyola Chicago (10-6)
• Loss: Gabbi Schnaiter, Indiana State (6-9)
• Save: None

RECORDS UPDATE

• Indiana State: 13-21 (1-8 MVC)
• Loyola Chicago: 18-14 (2-8 MVC)

NOTABLES

• Indiana State fell to 11-12 all-time against Loyola Chicago. The Sycamores are now 1-6 against the Ramblers in Chicago.
• Leslie Sims stole a base in the game marking her 66^th career stolen base. She ranks third all-time at Indiana State in career steals and needs just one more swipe to match Morgan Allee (2013-14) for second.
• Sims was also caught stealing for just the second time this season and just the fifth time in her career.
• This marked the first loss of the season when Indiana State had led after six innings. ISU was previously 9-0 when leading after six frames.

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