April 14, 2005

Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

ROMEOVILLE, Ill.--The Lewis University softball team overcame a three-run deficit in game 1 of a doubleheader and scored six first-inning runs in game 2 en route to a sweep of Wisconsin-Parkside.

The Flyers (20-13) defeated the Rangers (20-14) in a non-conference doubleheader 9-4 and 7-2.

Fireworks from both teams highlighted game 1. UWP's Michele Pickering led off the game with a solo home run to center field giving the Rangers a quick 1-0 lead.

Pickering pushed the Parkside lead to 3-0 when she ripped a two-run single into center field in the fourth inning.

Undeterred, Lewis tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Mallory Paine reached on a one-out double to left field and scored two batters later on a sacrifice fly by Kalynn Russell. The big blow in the inning came from freshman Carla Musillo as she launched a towering two-out, two-run home run to center field.

The Flyers continued to pile on runs in the fifth, plating four more runs. Robin Martz began the rally with a one-out triple down the right field line. Following a Beth Shelus walk, Amy Yusko lined her first home run of the season to center field. Paine followed with her second double of the game to chase UWP starter Kristen Brestan (6-8). Paine later scored on an error to give Lewis a 7-3 lead.

In the sixth, Lewis cracked the scoreboard for two more runs. Ashley LeGrand led off with a pinch-hit single and advanced to second when Christina Willis reached on a sacrifice bunt that the UWP third baseman misplayed. Shelus brought the pair home with a two-run double.

Parkside scored a run in the top of the seventh, but never developed a threatening rally.

Freshman Kasey DeLair (5-2) earned the win in relief. She pitched the final five innings after starter Kristen Porzel left the game with arm trouble. DeLair struck out three and scattered six hits in her five innings. She allowed three runs, but just one earned run.

In game 2, Lewis scored six runs in the first inning on just two hits. Parkside starter Meagan Shimkus (9-4) surrendered a lead off single to Martz and then proceeded to walk four of the next five hitters.

With two runs scored on bases loaded walks, Lewis added its third run on an RBI groundout from Russell. Willis had an RBI fielder's choice later in the inning and Martz capped the rally with a two-run single.

The cushion was plenty for Flyers' starter Shannon Roney. Roney (6-5) went the distance scattering five hits and striking out four. Her lone mistake in the game was a two-run home run to UWP's Emma Strohbusch in the fourth inning.

For the day, Shelus was 3 for 5 with three runs scored; Paine was 3 for 4 with two doubles and three runs scored; and Amy Yusko had four RBI.

The Flyers will host their first conference home games of the season this weekend when they play doubleheaders against Indianapolis and Saint Joseph's. Lewis faces Saint Joseph's at noon on Saturday and Indianapolis at noon on Sunday.