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LAS VEGAS – The Lewis softball team split a pair of contests at the Desert Stinger Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. on Saturday (Feb. 11). The Flyers dropped the day's first contest 2-1 to Simon Fraser. Lewis returned less than an hour later to defeat Upper Iowa 6-2 for the Flyers' first win of 2012.
 
Against Simon Fraser, a run in the bottom of the sixth was the difference.
 
Lewis starter sophomore Alyssa Moseley (Crown Point, Ind./Andrean) (Crown Point, Ind./Andrean) worked through early trouble by stranding two Simon Fraser runners in each of the first three innings.
 
Lewis took their first lead of the tournament with a lone run in the fifth. Junior Michelle Vucsko (Chicago, Ill./Marist) (Chicago, Ill./Marist) doubled down the left field line and scored on a two-out single by senior Mary Giancarlo (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South).
 
Simon Fraser had two on with two outs in the fourth when Mosley was lifted for senior Karissa Habel (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South). Two walks later and Fraser had their first run of the game.
 
It stayed 1-1 until the Clan pushed across a two-out run in the bottom of the sixth. The Flyers earned a two-out double in the top of the seventh by sophomore Jessica Rourke (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) but she was stranded a batter later to end the game.
 
Habel's record drops to 0-2. Kelsie Hawkins earned the win for Simon Fraser while Cara Lukawesky picked up the save.
 
The Flyers grabbed a quick lead on Upper Iowa thanks to a three-run second inning.
 
A squeeze bunt by freshman Bianca Garcia (Elmwood Park, Ill./Elmwood Park) (Elmwood Park, Ill./Elmwood Park) knocked in Lewis' first run. Senior Mary Giancarlo (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) went from second to third on a wild pitch and then scored on a wild throw from the Upper Iowa catcher back to her pitcher. Lewis added a third run in the second inning on a two out infield single by junior Jayme Hefler (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) that scored Garcia. Hefler beat the throw from the Upper Iowa shortstop by just a fraction of a second.
 
Lewis scored three more runs in the fifth thanks in large part to three Upper Iowa errors in the inning. Senior Alicia McKendry (Minooka, Ill./Minooka) (Minooka, Ill./Minooka) had a RBI in the frame.
 
Upper Iowa scored two runs in the top of the seventh to make the final 6-2. Freshman Ali Brems (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside) (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside) went the distance for Lewis to pick up her first career win. She is now 1-1 on the season. Brems allowed two runs on five hits while recording eight strikeouts.
 
“Ali was great today but we had a fantastic day pitching all around,” Lewis head coach George DiMatteo said. “(Against Upper Iowa) it came down to timely hitting. Also, we were able to take advantage of some of their mistakes.”
 
Kylee Knop took the loss for Upper Iowa.
 
Upper Iowa and Lewis are now both 1-3. Simon Fraser is 3-1.
 
Lewis concludes the tournament on Sunday (Feb. 12) against Regis.  
 
“I'd like to see us collectively and individually have a strong finish tomorrow,” DiMatteo said.
 
First pitch against Regis is set for 11:30 AM (PT).