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Highland Heights, Ky. - The No. 21 Lewis University softball team held serve in their battle for first place in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, as the Flyers split their doubleheader with Northern Kentucky, losing the opener 11-3 (6 inn.) and taking the nightcap, 4-3 (9 inn.) at NKU's Grein Softball Field on Saturday (Apr. 30) afternoon.

With the split, Lewis (29-10, 18-4 GLVC) now owns a half game lead over Northern Kentucky (28-13, 18-5 GLVC) and Missouri-St. Louis (27-18, 18-5 GLVC) heading into Sunday's 10:30 a.m. doubleheader against Bellarmine. Saturday was the regular-season finale for the Norse, while the Tritons host Rockhurst for a 12 p.m. (CST) doubleheader on Sunday.

"This was a huge confidence builder for us," Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said. "It was nice to come back from such a tough start and win the second game to stay on the top of the conference."

In the opener, NKU chased Flyer starting pitcher Diana Pickrum (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) from the contest early as  the Norse scored seven unanswered runs over the first three innings, highlighted by a three-run homer from right fielder Ashley Gates.

Northern Kentucky's top five batters in its line-up batted a combined 6-for-12 with 10 RBI, eight runs scored and two home runs in game one. Pickrum allowed seven runs, four earned, and five hits in three innings of work.

Lewis second baseman Kayla Smith (Glendale Heights, Ill./Glenbard North) (Glendale Heights, Ill./Glenbard North) provided the only offensive highlight for the Flyers in the opener with a two-run single.

In the nightcap, freshman right fielder Alyssa Moseley (Crown Point, Ind./Andrean) (Crown Point, Ind./Andrean) and junior catcher Mary Giancarlo (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) proved to be the offensive catalysts for the Flyers as they were a combined 6-for-10 at the dish with three RBI and a run scored. 

With the score tied at two in the top of the seventh inning, Moseley (3-for-5, RBI, run) roped a one-out double. Giancarlo (3-for-5, 2 RBI) plated Moseley with a RBI single to push the Flyers ahead, 3-2. 

NKU, however, was able to tie the game up in the bottom of the seventh as Norse shortstop Jessica Farris scored on a wild pitch by Lewis starting pitcher Karissa Habel (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South). Habel battled throughout the inning and left the bases loaded full of Norse players to minmize the damage and leave the frame with the score knotted at 3-apiece. 

Moseley was the catalyst again for the Flyers in the ninth inning, as she roped a one-out double to left center that scored sophomore shortstop Michelle Vucsko (Chicago, Ill./Marist) (Chicago, Ill./Marist) from first base for the winning run. 

Vucsko and fellow sophomore Jayme Hefler (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard East) each collected two hits in the victory.

Pickrum (14-3) came on in relief of  Habel and pitched two innings of scoreless relief to earn the win for the Flyers.

Lewis returns to action on Sunday (May 1), as the Flyers head to Louisville to square off with Bellarmine for a 10:30 a.m. (EST) doubleheader.

Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to approximately 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.

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