SAINT LOUIS, Mo. - For the third time this spring, Western Illinois softball (8-8) found themselves battle-tested in a setting that went past seven initial innings. Taking on Loyola-Chicago again in the Billiken Spring Tournament's closing day, the Leathernecks fought until the very end but ultimately fell in eight frames, 7-6. WIU went 1-4 over the three days in Saint Louis.

"This was a tough weekend, emotionally," admitted WIU softball head coach Alisa Goler. "One-run losses are heartbreaking, but they also teach you a lot. It is not easy to show up after games like these and bring your best effort again. For that, I was super proud of our group."

Kyra Kroll made her way to base early in the first after a single, and Piper Foote followed by walking. With one teammate in scoring position, Savannah Rodriguez swung hard to collect her second homer of the weekend - chalking three runs for Western. 

To open the second, Meghan Henson earned a walk and quickly advanced to second. Kellie Marcheschi drove the fifth-year in by lining a single, and WIU upped the advantage to 4-0. Loyola put itself in the scoring column after totaling an RBI single during the bottom half. Two line outs ended the inning, as two Ramblers were left on base.

Three runs by Loyola made up the fourth, beginning with a 2 RBI dinger toward center field. A baserunner then stole home to even the score 4-4.

The fifth saw another offensive burst from the Leathernecks. Sydney Hollings started with a lead-off double. Kroll and Foote both walked, loading the bases, and Hollings scored on a Loyola passed ball. Next, a third walk happened for WIU in the inning, as Rodriguez jogged to first. Bella Alvarez singled to her right with the bases still filled, allowing Kroll to reach home and bumping the advantage to 6-4.

Loyola edged its way into the lead later in the sixth - racking in another RBI single after WIU committed an error. A double pulled in an additional run for the Ramblers in the bottom of the seventh and tied the margin, 6-6. Two of their runners were placed in scoring position, but clutch pitching from Abby Carlin caused the contest to go extra innings. The Loyola batters took over to first make a sacrifice bunt and then singled for the game-winning play.

Marcheschi and Kroll finished with two hits and runs scored, respectively. Carlin (2-5) put away eight Loyola hitters in 7.1 innings pitched.

WIU will have time to gear up for another event next weekend. Middle Tennessee State's hosted spring tournament runs March 20-21 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.