WICHITA, Kan. – The Wichita State softball team dropped the first game of the doubleheader against MVC newcomer Loyola, 5-1, Saturday afternoon at Wilkins Stadium.

Liz Broyles went 1-for-2 at the plate, while Ali Vandever went 1-for-2 and Paige Luellen went 1-for-3 in the loss for the Shockers.

The Shockers got on the board first after Liz Broyles hit a RBI single down the right field line, giving Wichita State the 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third.

Lauren Moore hit a two RBI home run to center field to give Loyola its first lead of the game, 2-1. The Ramblers added another run in the top of the sixth with a RBI double down the right field line to give Loyola a 3-1 advantage.

Alyssa Mannucci hit a two RBI home run to left center in the top of the seventh to extend the lead, 5-1, for the Ramblers and they never looked back, taking game one from the Shockers.

Katie Malone (8-2) took the loss for Wichita State, allowing seven hits and three runs, striking out three in five innings. Brittany Gardner (6-6) earned the win for Loyola, allowing just four hits and one run, striking out five in a full seven innings. 

-WICHITA STATE-