April 3, 2010

GM 1 Box Score
GM 2 Box Score

Softball: Lewis 4, Indianapolis 0 (GM 1) in PDF Format
Softball: Indianapolis 9, Lewis 1 (6 inn.) (GM 2) in PDF Format

Indianapolis, Ind. - The Lewis University softball team, winners in nine out of their last ten contests, may be the top-ranked team in the Midwest Region, but the Flyers knew that they would have their hands full in their doubleheader against Great Lakes Valley Conference rival and 2009 NCAA Division II World Series participant, Indianapolis.

In the opener, the Flyers utilized some timely hitting and solid pitching to pick up the 4-0 win, but Indianapolis regrouped in the nightcap for the 9-1 (6 inn.) victory to salvage the split at the Indiana Central Little League Field on Saturday (Apr. 3) afternoon.

"In game one, we played the perfect game," Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said. "In game two, Indy's bats came alive. They're one of the great teams in our region with a majority of their players back from their team from last season.

"Splitting with them on their home field is an accomplishment and that's exactly what we were hoping for."

With the split, Lewis is now 18-6 overall and 8-2 in GLVC action, while the host Greyhounds are now 20-11 on the campaign and 12-4 in conference play.

In the opener, Lewis junior first baseman Stephanie Harmon (Joliet, Ill./Plainfield South) provided the early highlights for the Flyers, as she belted a two-out, two-run double off of losing pitcher Megan Russell in the top of the third inning.

Lewis would retain that 2-0 lead until the top of the seventh inning, as they loaded the bases with two outs. Freshman designated player Alexis Munaco (Bloomingdale, Ill./Lake Park) stepped to the plate and added a pair of insurance runs with a single through the left side, extending Lewis' lead to 4-0. Munaco was the only Flyer with at least two hits in Game One.

The Greyhounds threatened in the bottom of the seventh, as they loaded the bases with two outs, bringing the tying run to the plate in third baseman Kelsey Rummel. Lewis starting pitcher Diana Pickrum (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest), however, induced her into a game-ending groundout to earn the complete-game, shutout victory for the Flyers.

Pickrum (7-2) allowed just five hits and struck out four batters. Russell (10-6) gave up four runs, two earned, and six hits while striking out seven batters.

In the nightcap, UIndy jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage in the second inning, behind a one-out, RBI double from Brooke Johnson. Johnson moved over to third on a groundout by Rummel and scored on a fielding error by Lewis senior second baseman Kara Harmatys (Homer Glen, Ill./Lockport) to put the Greyhounds up 2-0.

UIndy tacked on five more runs in the third inning with a RBI single by catcher Ashley Boxley and a RBI double from center fielder Crissy Stephens. Boxley would score on a fielding error by freshman shortstop Michelle Vucsko (Chicago, Ill./Marist) to extend UIndy's lead to 5-0.

UIndy then executed a double steal, as Stephens took home plate for the sixth run of the game. Johnson came to the plate for the second time in the third inning and added another RBI single that would score Carmen Martinez, putting the Greyhounds ahead, 7-0.

Lewis sophomore pitcher Karissa Habel (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) took the loss for the Flyers. Habel (7-2) allowed seven runs, four earned, and seven hits in three innings pitched. UIndy's Jennifer DeMotte (9-4) picked up the win for the Greyhounds, as she allowed one unearned run and five hits in six innings of work.

Lewis returns to action on Wednesday (April 3), as they head to Rensselaer, Indiana, for a 3 PM doubleheader against Saint Joseph's.

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##