Romeoville, Ill. – The Lewis University pitching staff continues to mystify opposing batters as the tandem of Diana Pickrum (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) and Karissa Habel (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) each tossed complete-game shutouts for the second time this week, as the Flyers claimed the 8-0 (6 inn.), 8-0 (5 inn.) doubleheader sweep of UIS in their Great Lakes Valley Conference opener at the Lewis Softball Field on Saturday (March 19) afternoon.

   Pickrum (5-1) allowed two hits and struck out four batters in six innings of work in the opener, while Habel (4-2) surrendered three hits and fanned one Prairie Star in five innings of action. The Lewis pitching staff has not allowed a run in their last 24.1 innings pitched.

   “This was a great start to our conference season,” Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said. “It all starts with our pitching. Pick and Karissa throw zeros up there and it takes so much pressure off of our defense. The leadership that they provide is invaluable.

   “To play as well as we did this week is a very good sign for us going forward.”

   With the sweep, Lewis improves to 13-6 and 2-0 in GLVC play, while the Prairie Stars are now 5-15 on the campaign and 1-3 in conference action.

   In the opener, Lewis sophomore shortstop Michelle Vucsko (Chicago, Ill./Marist) (Chicago, Ill./Marist) went 2-for-3 at the dish with two RBI and a run scored. Senior second baseman Kayla Smith (Glendale Heights, Ill./Glenbard North) (Glendale Heights, Ill./Glenbard North) went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a RBI, while sophomore right fielder Lauren Hanford (Morris, Ill./Morris) (Morris, Ill./Morris) had two RBI, including a hit and a run.

   In the nightcap, Lewis senior first baseman Stephanie Harmon (Joliet, Ill./Plainfield South) (Joliet, Ill./Plainfield South) went 3-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored, including her second home run of the season. That blast gives her 28 round-trippers for her Flyer career, tying her with former teammate Kelly Dianis for Lewis' all-time record for home runs. Lewis sophomore center fielder Jayme Hefler (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) (Glenbard, Ill./Glenbard West) and junior third baseman Traci Freitag (Westmont, Ill./Hinsdale Central) (Westmont, Ill./Hinsdale Central) each went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Hefler finished the afternoon with five stolen bases.