Coming off a 23-27 record in 2018, the Loyola softball team was picked last out of 10 teams in the 2019 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) preseason poll Jan. 30 despite returning 10 players. The team will open up its season Feb. 8 against University of Missouri Kansas City at the Total Control Sports Invitational.
In the offseason, the team picked up four first-years from across the country. Head coach Jeff Tylka brought in two infielders to fill the voids left by versatile seniors, Jamie O’Brien and Ashley Parenti, who graduated last year. He also signed a new pitcher and catcher to add depth to the Ramblers’ rotation and back up senior MVC All-Defensive Team catcher Katie Kasubke.