March 3, 2005

LAKELAND, Fla.--A persistent and steady rain left the Lewis University softball team dripping wet after its game with No. 1-ranked Florida Southern.

The Flyers (3-6) fell 11-3 in the first game of a doubleheader and had the second game cancelled due to the weather.

Florida Southern scored eight runs in the first inning, but seven were unearned. Three Lewis errors and three walks contributed to the opening-inning burst.

Freshman Carla Musillo helped Lewis answer in the top of the second inning. She led off the inning with a double to the center field wall and scored two batters later when freshman Mallory Paine lifted a single into right field.

The Mocs added three more runs in the bottom half of the second inning to stake an 11-1 lead. Two more errors contributed to two unearned runs in the inning. However, Lewis would settle down and allow just one hit in the final two innings.

The Flyers tallied a single run in both the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, Kristy Vanek led off with a single to left field. She was lifted for a pinch runner and Josie Kramer advanced to third a batter later when Musillo reached on an error. Kramer scored when Kalynn Russell reached on an error.

In the fifth, Robin Martz scored Lewis' final run on an RBI single by Vanek.

"I was proud of the way our players fought back by scoring three runs off the No. 1 pitcher in the nation in 2004," said Lewis head coach George DiMatteo. "I feel confident the team will come forth with their best effort this weekend in the Rebel Games Tournament in Kissimmee."