March 10, 2006

Box Score

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Amy Yusko went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a triple, and Mallory Paine was 3-for-4 with a double and three runs as the Lewis Flyers cruised past Findlay University 7-1, Friday afternoon in a regional game at the Osceola Softball Complex.

In earlier action on Friday, the Flyers (10-2) were on the short end of a 3-2 decision against Dowling University.

"This is one of the best Florida trips we've ever had," head coach George DiMatteo said. "Our performance this week gives us great hope that we can achieve our goal of going to the NCAA regional (tournament). Anytime we've done this well in Florida, we've made a tournament appearance."

Paine went a combined 5-for-7 in the games against Dowling and Findlay with two triples, a double, four runs and an RBI.

In the game against Findlay, the Flyers scored in their first at bat when Shannon Roney crushed an RBI triple into the right-field corner. Paine, who singled earlier in the inning, scored on the play.

The Flyers added to their lead with a four-run third inning. After Robin Martz singled and Paine doubled, Yusko shot a two-RBI single into center field to put Lewis up 3-0. Roney then moved Yusko to second when she singled, and Kristy Vanek brought them both home with a double down the line in left field.

Two Flyers' errors in the bottom of the third inning resulted in Findlay's only run of the game, but the Flyers added two more tallies in the top of the seventh inning. An RBI triple off the bat of Yusko accounted for one of those runs, and a throwing error by Findlay's catcher during a pick-off attempt at third base allowed the other run to score.

Courtney Lyons (3-1) went the distance in the circle, allowing just three hits without an earned run.

The game against Dowling went scoreless through six innings before Dowling broke through with three runs in the top half of the seventh. A two-RBI double served as the big blow of the inning.

The Flyers fired right back in their half of the seventh inning, but their comeback bid fell one run short. Vanek started the inning with a single to center field, and she scored when Paine tripled down the left-field line. Lyons brought Paine home with a single to center field, but Dowling retired the next three Lewis batters to hang on for the win.

Roney (3-1) suffered the loss despite striking out a season-high six batters.

Lewis heads into conference play next weekend with doubleheaders at Quincy on March 18 and Missouri-St. Louis on March 19.