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Romeoville, Ill. - The Lewis University softball team needed a doubleheader sweep against Kentucky Wesleyan on Sunday (March 25) afternoon in order to make up ground in the Great Lakes Valley Conference standings, as the Flyers stood seventh in the East Division heading into the twinbill.

The Flyers were able to come-from-behind in the opener and take the contest, 5-4, on a walk-off sacrifice fly by junior designated player Alexis Munaco (Bloomingdale, Ill./Lake Park) (Bloomingdale, Ill./Lake Park), but were unable to rally in the nightcap, as the visiting Panthers held on for the 2-1 win at the Lewis Softball Field.

"They were both close games against a vastly improved Kentucky Wesleyan team," Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said. "I'm very disappointed that we lost the second game. Our goal is not to split, because it doesn't allow us to catch up in the standings."

With the split, Lewis is now 15-16 overall and 7-9 in GLVC action, while the visiting Panthers are now 12-16 on the campaign and 9-9 in conference play.

Keying the comeback for Lewis in the opener was freshman pitcher Ali Brems (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside) (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside). Brems, however, made her biggest impression offensively, as she went 3-for-3, including a three-run double that gave Flyers the 4-2 advantage. The Wisconsin native also performed admirably in the circle, as Brems (7-7) went the distance, allowed four runs and eight hits and struck out eight batters to earn the victory.

Kentucky Wesleyan answered Brems' bases-clearing double with a two-run home run by designated player Ashley Crooke (2-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI) to even the score up at 4-apiece in the sixth inning.

Lewis junior left fielder Jessica Rourke (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) went 3-for-4 with a run scored, while junior right fielder Lauren Hanford (Morris, Ill./Morris) (Morris, Ill./Morris) went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored.

Hanford started the Flyer rally in the bottom of the seventh inning with a leadoff double and moved over to third base on a bunt single by sophomore first baseman Alyssa Moseley (Crown Point, Ind./Andrean) (Crown Point, Ind./Andrean). Munaco then plated Hanford with a deep sacrifice fly to give Lewis the 5-4 win.

Brems' counterpart Ashlee Winstead (5-9) took the loss for the Panthers, as she surrendered five runs and 11 hits in 6.1 innings of work, while fanning four batters.

In the nightcap, Kentucky Wesleyan broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning on a bases-loaded, infield single by right fielder Josalyn Ress. The Panthers would tack on an insurance run in the fifth inning on a RBI single by Meagan Sallee (2-for-4, RBI).

Lewis would cut that lead in half in the bottom of the fifth, as freshman pinch hitter Kelsey Ullrich (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North) (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North) connected for a sacrifice fly to bring the score to 2-1.

The Flyers seemed poised to take the lead in the sixth inning, as they had runners at second and third with one out. Hanford, however, was doubled off of third base on a Brems' line-drive to Sallee at third base.

Kentucky Wesleyan starting pitcher Kayla Meny (2-0) earned the win for the Panthers, as she allowed one run and five hits in six innings of work. Panthers' reliever Jordan Vertz allowed one hit in the seventh inning to pick up her first save of the season.

Lewis starting pitcher Karissa Habel (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) was tagged with the loss, as she went the distance, allowing two runs and seven hits, while striking out six batters.

Lewis returns to action on Thursday (March 29), as the Flyers welcome Saint Joseph's to the Lewis Softball Field for a 3 p.m. (CST) doubleheader.