The Loyola softball team started non-conference play 15-4 — its best start since 2017. One consistency throughout the hot start has been the pitching staff.
The Ramblers have the fifth-best ERA at 1.25 — down from last years 2.75 team ERA. The staff, consisting of seniors Kiley Jones and Keenan Dolezal and sophomore Madison Veres, has tallied 90 strikeouts and held opponents to a .215 average.
The improved numbers could be because a new pitching coach, Jackie Manrique was hired to fill the void June 27. She replaced former Rambler Brittany Gardner, who’s now a social worker and coaches pitchers part-time at an athletics company in south suburban Orland Park after two years at Loyola.