BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Loyola-Chicago defeated Appalachian State University softball with the run rule, 9-0, on Saturday, but Sunday was a much different story between the two teams. The Ramblers and Mountaineers engaged in an all-out pitchers' duel with Loyola-Chicago coming out on top, 1-0.

"Today was a great ballgame that could have gone either way," said head coach Janice Savage. "I'm proud of our girls for bouncing back after yesterday against this team and playing a tight game with them today. Our pitchers threw very well and made great improvements today. We are heading in the right direction before we start conference play, which is very exciting."

App State falls to 4-15 on the season while the Ramblers improved to 12-4 and have won nine of their last 10 contests. The Black and Gold's four base knocks came from four different hitters including Natalie Orcutt, Heather Josey, Cara Parker, and Megan Walker.

In the circle, Vanessa Ciocatto (2-7) got the start and was brilliant. The junior hurler pitched 5.1 innings and gave up just one earned run on four hits with one walk and a season-high six strikeouts. Since Feb. 13, Ciocatto has lowered her ERA from 8.56 down to 4.23. In relief, Annaleise Kennedy tossed 1.2 innings of no-hit softball with one strikeout.

The game was without a run through the first four innings before Loyola-Chicago broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fifth. In that frame, the first batter, Kasubke, walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Cordell. One out later, Jenkins hit a lazy pop fly to shallow center with Pepper Butler coming on to field it, but the senior lost the ball in the sun and Kasubke scored from second for the game's lone run.

Jones (5-1) was the winner for the Ramblers as she went the distance and gave up four hits with one free pass and nine punchouts. That one walk was to Jenny Dodd who extended her reached-base streak to 12 games.

Next up, Appalachian State travels to UNCG on Wednesday for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.