GVSU Box Score / GVSU Box Score (PDF)
Quincy Box Score / Quincy Box Score (PDF)

Allendale, Mich. - After dropping an 8-3 decision to host Grand Valley State, the No. 22 Lewis University softball team responded with an 8-5 victory over Quincy University and strikeout ace Torie Bunzell to advance to the championship round of the NCAA Midwest Regional Softball Tournament at the GVSU Softball Field on Saturday (May 14) afternoon.

Lewis sophomore shortstop Michelle Vucsko (Chicago, Ill./Marist) (Chicago, Ill./Marist) went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, while freshman designated player Alyssa Moseley (Crown Point, Ind./Andrean) (Crown Point, Ind./Andrean) went 2-for-4, including a two-run homer off of Bunzell in the first inning.

Bunzell, who broke the NCAA Division II career strikeout record in the opening frame, was chased from the game after 2.2 innings of work. Bunzell allowed six runs and eight hits to fall to 30-13 on the season.

Lewis junior pitcher Karissa Habel (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) improved her record to 13-4. Habel surrendered five runs, four earned, and six hits, while striking out a season-high, seven batters.

Lewis sophomore center fielder Jayme Hefler (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) went 1-for-2 with two runs scored and two stolen bases against Quincy. Those stolen bases gave her 39 for the season, breaking her single-season mark of 38, set last year.

With the split, Lewis is now 36-13, while Grand Valley State is 40-14. Quincy's season ends at 34-18. Lewis and Grand Valley State will meet at 12 p.m. (EST) on Sunday (May 15) afternoon. This marks the second-straight year that Lewis has advanced to the championship round.

"This was a nice comeback win for us (after our loss to Grand Valley State)," Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said. "I thought we really set the tone in the first inning following Moseley's homer. It was a great momentum builder for us because we hadn't been hitting the ball well lately.

"I thought we were loose against Quincy and it showed," DiMatteo continued. "We were playing, joking and we looked very comfortable and confident. We had a great attitude, but now we have to turn our focus towards Grand Valley State."

Grand Valley State scored eight unanswered runs in the opener to claim the 8-3 victory over the Flyers. GVSU second baseman Kayleigh Bertram was the offensive catalyst for the Lakers, batting 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored, including a three-run homer.

Lewis freshman Jessica Rourke (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) went 3-for-3 to lead the Flyers at the dish, while junior catcher Mary Giancarlo (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) added a two-run single in the third inning.

GVSU relief pitcher Hannah Santora (11-3) earned the win for the Lakers, holding Lewis scoreless in 4.1 innings of work, allowing two hits. Lewis starting pitcher Diana Pickrum (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) allowed eight runs and 13 hits to fall to 18-5 on the campaign.