St. Louis, Mo. – Lewis University senior first baseman
Stephanie Harmon (Joliet, Ill./Plainfield South) made history on Saturday (Apr. 9) afternoon, as the Joliet, Ill., native broke the career-record for home runs and helped the visiting Flyers to the 9-0 (6 inn.), 3-1, Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader sweep of Missouri-St. Louis at the UMSL Softball Field.
Harmon went 2-for-4 with four RBI in the opener, including a three-run bomb, in the top of the sixth to help secure the win for the Flyers. That home run, the third of the season and 29th of her career, broke the previous record of 28, set by former teammate Kelly Dianis.
“I think it's going to be years before someone breaks that record,” Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said. “Stephanie doesn't try to hit home runs. It comes from making good contact on good pitches. You do that, and the home runs will come.”
With the sweep, Lewis improves to 20-7 overall and 9-1 in GLVC action, while the host Tritons are now 13-16 on the season and 7-4 in conference play. The two victories marks the Flyers' sixth-straight win and 11th in their past 12 contests.
In the opener, Lewis senior pitcher Diana Pickrum (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) tossed her fifth complete-game shutout of the season to improve her record to 9-1 on the season. Pickrum allowed six hits and struck out six batters in six innings of work for the victory.
Joining Harmon in the offensive fun in game one were freshman left fielder Jessica Rourke (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) and sophomore center fielder Jayme Hefler (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West). Rourke went 3-for-3 with a run scored, while Hefler was 2-for-4 at the dish with two runs scored, a RBI and a stolen base.
In the nightcap, Lewis sophomore Michelle Vucsko (Chicago, Ill./Marist) provided the spark for the Flyers, as she went 2-for-2 with two RBI, including a solo home run.
Lewis junior pitcher Karissa Habel (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) tossed a complete-game, five-hitter to improve her record to 7-2 on the season.
“We've continued our formula for success,” DiMatteo said. “We have great pitching from Pickrum and Habel. We played well defensively today, along with some clutch hitting. If we continue to do that, we'll be able to separate ourselves from the rest of the league.”
Lewis returns to action on Sunday (Apr. 10), as the Flyers head across town for a 12 p.m. doubleheader against Maryville.
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.edufor further information.
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