BRONX, NY -- No. 3 Loyola Chicago scored seven runs in the first inning and never looked back, defeating No. 6 Saint Joseph's 7-1 in the Opening Round of the Atlantic 10 Softball Championship on Wednesday afternoon. 

All the scoring in this game was done in the first inning as the Hawks scored one run in the top of the first on a Loyola error to take the early lead. The Ramblers responded with a vengence in the bottom half, scoring seven runs on five hits and one error to do all the damage they would need to in this one. 

The first inning was highlighted by a three run home run by the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Sydney Barnett, who set the Loyola Chicago single season record with 14 home runs with the blast. Jocelyn Currie, Sierra Sass and Ava Bieneman also drove runs in for the Ramblers as part of the seven run inning. 

The next six frames were scoreless as Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year Peyton Pepkowski went six innings for the Ramblers with zero earned runs and five strikeouts to get the win. Saint Joseph's Jules Scogna came in relief in the third inning and held the Ramblers bats at bay, only allowing three hits and no runs over four innings.

Ava Bieneman reached base in all four plate appearances out of the leadoff spot for Loyola Chicago going two-for-two with two walks. 

The Ramblers advance to play No. 2 Saint Louis tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. while Saint Joseph's will face elimination against No. 4 Fordham this evening.