March 29, 2010

GM 1 Box Score
GM 2 Box Score

Softball: Lewis 3, Missouri S&T 1 (8 inn.) GM 1 in PDF Format

Softball: Lewis 3, Missouri S&T 2 (12 inn.) GM 2 in PDF Format

Rolla, Mo. - Heading into the 2010 softball campaign, Lewis University head coach George DiMatteo knew that he would have to play some `small ball' in order for his Flyers to be successful.

The Flyers manufactured six runs on Monday (March 29) against Missouri S&T on their way to the 3-1 (8 inn.), 3-2 (12 inn.) doubleheader sweep of the host Lady Miners at S&T Softball Field.

"It comes down to execution," DiMatteo said. "We practice hard on our hitting, bunting and slaps. We have players that are very capable of playing `small ball'. We used to look for the home run, but now we don't have to."

Junior outfielder Sarah Hurley (Bolingbrook, Ill./Plainfield Central) was the offensive catalyst for the Flyers on Monday, as she went 5-for-8 with a pair of doubles, a RBI and a run scored. Junior pitcher Diana Pickrum (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) was the winning pitcher in both contests as she improved to 6-2 on the season. In 13.1 innings pitched, Pickrum allowed just one run and eight hits while striking out four batters.

With the sweep, Lewis improves to 15-5 overall and 5-1 in conference action, while the host Lady Miners drop to 16-10 on the season and 9-7 in GLVC play. The last time Lewis had a pair of back-to-back extra inning contests came on April 27, 2003 as the Flyers split a doubleheader against Northern Kentucky (W, 1-0, 8 inn.; L, 2-0, 9 inn.).

In the opener, the Flyers found themselves trailing 1-0 in the seventh inning. The Flyers, however, scored three runs in the seventh and eighth inning with only two hits to earn the 3-1 come-from-behind win.

With the score tied at 1 in the top of the eighth, freshman center fielder Jayme Hefler (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) drew a lead-off walk from Lady Miner reliever Taylor Keal. Hefler (2-for-3, run) stole second and moved to third base on a one-out groundout from freshman shortstop Michelle Vucsko (Chicago, Ill./Marist).

Keal issued another free pass to junior first baseman Stephanie Harmon (Joliet, Ill./Plainfield South) to put runners at first and third for freshman right fielder Lauren Hanford (Morris, Ill./Morris).

Hanford lifted a `Texas League' flyball that Missouri S&T second baseman Becky Davis dropped for what would have been the final out of the frame. Both Hefler and Harmon scored on the play to secure the win for the Flyers.

Hurley (2-for-3) helped the Flyers send the game into extra frames, with a RBI double in the seventh inning.

Pickrum went the distance for her sixth complete game of the season, allowing one run and four hits, while striking out three batters.

In the nightcap, Lewis got on the board in the first inning with a RBI single from Vucsko. The Lady Miners, however, pushed ahead in the fourth inning with a solo homer from Coley Naughton and a sacrifice fly from Krista Porterfield to give Missouri S&T the 2-1 lead.

Lewis would even the score up at 2-apiece in the top of the sixth inning, thanks to a RBI single from Hefler.

The score would remain the same until the top of the 12th inning, as Harmon (3-for-6) drew a one-out walk from Keal (8-5) and moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt from Hanford. The Flyers would work some two-out magic as sophomore catcher Mary Giancarlo (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) plated Harmon with the go-ahead win with a RBI single up the middle.

Pickrum tossed 5.1 innings of four-hit, scoreless relief to earn her second win of the afternoon.

"It was an incredible, even epic, doubleheader," DiMatteo said. "It was two very evenly matched teams and it was a great battle. We were fortunate to come out on top."

Lewis returns to action on Tuesday (March 30) to square off with Illinois-Springfield for a 3 PM doubleheader.

A Catholic university sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and programs of study, accelerated degree completion options for working adults, various aviation programs and 22 graduate programs in nine fields. The ninth largest private, not-for-profit university in Illinois is being honored for the sixth consecutive year by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Please visit www.lewisu.edu for more information.

##LEWIS##