GM 1 Box Score
GM 2 Box Score

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After nine consecutive games rained out the Lewis baseball team finally saw the weather cooperate on Saturday afternoon at Bellarmine. Unfortunately the Flyers' bats did not do the same as Lewis dropped a pair of one run games, 2-1 (11 innings) and 3-2.

Lewis' lone run in game one in the second inning off a double steal with sophomore Brian Norwood (Medinah, Ill./Lake Park) (Medinah, Ill./Lake Park) stealing home, looked like it might stand with freshman Tom Helwich (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln Way Central) (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln Way Central) on the mound mound. However the Knights scrapped across a run in the bottom of the eighth. The Knights then won the game in the 11th inning.

Helwich earned a no-decision, allowing just the one run on eight hits in 8.1 innings. Helwich didn't allow a base runner until the fifth inning. Sophomore Matt Frahm (McLean, Ill./Olympia) (McLean, Ill./Olympia), took the loss to drop his mark to 2-1.

“Tommy commanded all three pitches for strikes.” head coach Tim McDonough said. “Even when they scored they didn't hit the ball hard. We just missed opportunities to add on to the lead when we had them.”

Lewis scored in the first inning of game two. Junior Andrew Brauer (Bolingbrook, Ill./Montini) (Bolingbrook, Ill./Montini/College Of DuPage) singled home senior Richard Forkin (Orland Park, Ill./Lockport) (Orland Park, Ill./Lockport) from second. Junior Pat Lahey (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) pitched well for the Flyers, not allowing a hit until the fourth inning when Bellarmine tied it with a run. The Flyers nearly took the lead again in the top of the fifth but senior Mike Vucsko (Evergreen Park, Ill./Marist) (Evergreen Park, Ill./Marist) was thrown out at home trying to score from second on a single. Lahey got out of a first and second, no outs Bellarmine threat in the bottom of the fifth. Lewis threatened in the sixth but couldn't score a run after loading the bases with one out. The Knights took their first lead of the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. Vucsko scored on a wild pitch in the top of the seventh with two outs to make it 3-2. Forkin went to second on the play but was stranded there after Brauer popped out to end the game. Lahey is now 6-2. He allowed three runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings of work.

“I told the guys when you play good defense and get good pitching like we did today you usually win at least one of the two,” McDonough said. “But Bellarmine pitched just a little better and hit a little better to make some key plays.”

The loss drops the Flyers to 18-13 (11-9 Great Lakes Valley Conference). Bellarmine is now 25-17 (17-8 GLVC). The two squads will meet again on Sunday in a doubleheader starting at 10 a.m. CT. It is an hour earlier than the previously announced starting time in an effort to finish before predicted rain in the afternoon.

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.
##LEWIS##