Kissimmee, Fla. - Spring Break started off with a bang for the No. 24 Lewis University softball team, but ended with a whimper, as the Flyers dropped both of their contests against California (PA), 6-0, and Ferris State, 7-6 (8 inn.), in the final day of the Rebel Games at the Fortune Road Complex on Monday (March 7) morning.

The sweep marked the fifth loss in the Flyers' last six games after winning their first four contests of the week.

"It's a disappointing way for us to end the week after starting off the trip so well," Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said. "We just have to regroup as a team and get our mojo back."

With the losses, Lewis is now 9-6 on the campaign. Calfornia (PA) improves to 8-4 and Ferris State is now 3-3.

In the opener, Lewis was limited offensively, as they recorded just four hits against Vulcan pitching. The Flyers managed to stay close, as California (PA) took a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.

That's when the Vulcans took control of the game, as they touched Lewis starting pitcher Karissa Habel (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) for four runs in the frame. Habel (3-2) took the complete-game loss, allowing six runs and nine hits in six innings of work.

In the nightcap, Lewis looked for more of that late-inning magic, as Ferris State owned a 4-3 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. The Flyers were able to tie the game up at four, as sophomore shortstop Michelle Vucsko (Chicago, Ill./Marist) roped a RBI single.

Ferris State responded with three runs in the top of the eighth to give the Bulldogs the 7-4 advantage. Lewis mustered another comeback attempt in the bottom half of the frame, and scored a pair of runs on a sacrifice fly by senior outfielder Sarah Hurley (Bolingbrook, Ill./Plainfield Central) and a RBI infield single by Traci Freitag (Westmont, Ill./Hinsdale Central) to pull the Flyers to within 7-6 with two outs.

Ferris State pitcher Dana Bowler, however, induced Vucsko into a groundout to end the game and secure the win for the Bulldogs.

During the game, DiMatteo filed a formal protest following the Flyers' fourth inning at bat. Junior catcher Mary Giancarlo (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) led off the inning with a single, but was ejected from the game, as her previously inspected bat was deemed illegal.

After a 35-minute delay, Giancarlo was reinstated into the game and allowed to bat again, but was retired on a foul out to the catcher. Flyer second baseman Kayla Smith (Glendale Heights, Ill./Glenbard North) followed her and belted a solo homer, which would have been a two-run shot if Giancarlo was still on base.

Results for the protest will be determined at a later date.

Lewis returns to action on St. Patrick's Day, as the Flyers host Judson College for a 3 p.m. doubleheader.

Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,000 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares ethically grounded, globally aware, and socially responsible graduates. The ninth largest not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.