George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
Loyola Chicago
Softball Opens Conference Play Hosting Loyola Chicago
3/15/2024 9:30:00 AM | Softball
WASHINGTON - GW softball is riding a four-game win streak as it opens conference play hosting Loyola Chicago this weekend at the GW Softball Field. The Revolutionaries and Ramblers will go head-to-head in a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. both days.
SWEEP OF THE HAWKS
The Revolutionaries won both games of Wednesday's doubleheader vs. UMES, taking down the Hawks 2-0 and 6-5. In game one, Cece Smith brought a no-hit bid into the seventh inning as she dealt 10 strikeouts, walked none and shutout UMES. In game two, Ashley Corpuz was the story as she ended the game on the first pitch of the bottom of the seventh on a walk-off home run.
SMITH'S A-10 RANKS
First-year pitcher/utility Cece Smith enters the first weekend of conference play as a top-ranking pitcher in the A-10. Smith is tied with Dayton's Izzy Kemp, the reigning A-10 Rookie of the Year, for first in the conference in ERA (1.86). Smith (59) is second to Kemp (61) in strikeouts, but she stands alone in first in the A-10 with nine wins. Smith had 14 strikeouts on Wednesday in 9.2 IP vs. UMES and will look to stay hot as GW kicks off A-10 action.
OFFENSE IS CLICKING
GW has seen an uptick in offense over its last six games, scoring 32 runs for an average of 5.33 runs per game, compared to its season average of just over four runs per game. The Revolutionaries have collected 10 or more hits in eight games this season - four of which have come in the last six games. Four Revolutionaries (among qualified batters) have their season averages above the .300 mark (Ramirez, Hayward, Heffley, Corpuz) and another four have their season on-base percentages at or over the .400 mark (Ramirez, Heffley, Corpuz, Lauth).
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Loyola Chicago also enters their first conference series at .500 (10-10). The Ramblers have faced four "Power Five" teams this year and are 1-3 in those contests with its win coming in an 8-0 game vs. Pittsburgh. The Ramblers were picked second in the 2024 A-10 Preseason Poll after finishing 18-6 in conference play last season.
Sydney Barnett has been Loyola Chicago's most dangerous batter this season with an 1.035 OPS, five home runs and 21 RBI. Peyton Pepkowski leads the Ramblers in ERA (2.62) and WHIP (1.05). Pepkowski has thrown seven complete games but has just a 5-5 record.
Loyola Chicago is 3-0 in the all-time series after sweeping GW at home last season. This weekend will be Loyola Chicago's first-ever visit to the GW Softball Field.
