March 4, 2006

Box Score

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Dominant pitching and timely hitting powered the Lewis Flyers to a pair of wins Saturday at the Rebel Spring Games.

The Flyers (2-0) defeated Dowling (N.Y.) 4-0 and followed with a 4-1 decision over regional opponent Ashland (Ohio).

"This was a great way to start the 2006 campaign," said Flyers' head coach George DiMatteo. "Quality pitching and clutch-hitting was the difference today."

Amy Yusko and Christina Willis each registered a team-best three hits for the day. Yusko was 3-for-4 with three walks, while Willis went 3-for-6 with two RBI. Beth Shelus added a three-RBI triple, and Kristy Vanek (two RBI) and Mallory Paine (one RBI) each tallied a single and a double.

Courtney Lyons (1-0) went the distance in the first game, limiting Dowling to four hits while striking out two, while Shannon Roney (1-0) tossed a four-hit complete game against Ashland.

The Flyers took advantage of three walks to score all four of their runs against Dowling in the second inning.

After Vanek walked to start the frame, Paine dropped a sacrifice bunt to advance Vanek to second. The next two Flyers' hitters both walked to load the bases, and then Willis ripped a one-run single to bring Vanek home with the first run.

With the bases still loaded, Shelus delivered the big blow in the inning when she smacked a two-out three-RBI triple.

Lyons did the rest for Lewis, allowing just two hits the rest of the way to earn her first collegiate shutout and win.

Willis also knocked in the first Lewis run in the second game. She dumped a single into left field to score Paine, who had singled to start the fourth inning and was then advanced to third via a sacrifice bunt and groundout.

The Flyers added three more runs in the fifth inning. A two-RBI double by Vanek and a RBI double by Paine highlighted the rally.

The Flyers return to action on Sunday with games against Stonehill (8:50 am) and Ferris State (12:30 pm).