May 6, 2004

Box Score

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky.- - The Lewis University softball team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region tournament with a gritty 1-0 victory over Grand Valley State.

The Flyers (45-11) beat All-America pitcher Jennifer Mackson for the second time this season as Mackson fell to 22-3 on the season. Lewis' Mary Jaszczak (19-5) wasn't completely on her game, but she battled through several tough innings and stranded 12 Grand Valley baserunners in the game. The Lakers (33-7) collected seven hits, including three doubles, but the hits were spaced out and never inflicted any real damage.

Kalynn Russell, batting in the seventh spot for Lewis, set the table for the team's run in the third inning. Russell led off the inning with a sinking base hit to center field and was pinch run for by Kim Harris. Following sacrifice bunts by Stacy Davis and Christina Willis, the Flyers' No. 8 and 9 hitters, Robin Martz strode to the plate with a runner on third and two outs. Martz worked a 2-2 count before she laced a single into left field that brought Harris home with the game's only run.

The shutout was the 10th of the year for Jaszczak and it was her 19th complete game in 24 starts.

Lewis will face tournament host Northern Kentucky at 3 p.m. Friday in a winners' bracket match up. The game pits the Flyers in a repeat of last weekend's conference tournament championship games against the Norse. Lewis was 2-1 against NKU last weekend, but is 2-4 against them this weekend.

If Lewis wins, it will be in the regional championship game at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 8. In that scenario, the team would have to lose twice to miss out on a bid to the National Tournament. A Flyer loss will place them in the final losers' bracket elimination game at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, followed by a championship game rematch with the Norse. Lewis would have to beat NKU twice to win the regional title.