May 7, 2006

Box Score

EAST PEORIA, Ill. - Flyers' catcher Mallory Paine busted Sabra McCune's perfect game bid with a solo home run in the seventh inning, but the Southern Illinois Edwardsville Cougars held on for a 2-1 win to claim the Great Lakes Valley Conference crown.

Paine's homer tied Lewis' single-season home run record (9) and broke the school's single season RBI standard (49).

After Paine homered to get the Flyers on the board, Kelly Dianis dumped a single into center field. Pinch-runner Jessica Beck moved to second when Kristy Vanek dropped a sacrifice bunt down the first-base side, and then Shannon Roney drew a two-out walk to put runners on first and second.

Amy Yusko came up next and ripped a rocket of a line drive right into the glove of the Southern Illinois Edwardsville third baseman to end the game.

Julie Wingerter (14-6) suffered the loss for the Flyers, allowing six hits and two earned runs. She walked three and struck out two.

Courtney Lyons kept the Cougars off the board in the sixth and seventh, walking four and striking out three.

McCune (27-6) struck out four batters and walked one.

Southern Illinois Edwardsville scored its runs on solo homers by GLVC Player of the Year Alicia DeShasier in the first inning and Libby Lenart in the third.

Despite the loss, the Flyers (39-13) are still expected to be awarded a bid for the NCAA regional tournament. Regional selections are expected to be announced late Sunday or early Monday morning.