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Highland Heights, Ky. - Northern Kentucky dealt the Lewis University softball team a pair of heartbreaking losses in a doubleheader sweep over the Flyers on April Fool's Day at the Lewis Softball Field.

Five days later, Lewis returned the favor, as the Flyers earned the 8-7 (10 inn.), 2-0 Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader sweep over the host Norse to extend their winning streak to four games at the Grein Softball Field on Friday (Apr. 6) afternoon.

With the sweep, Lewis improves to 20-21 on the campaign and 12-14 in GLVC action, while the host Norse are now 23-15 overall and 13-11 in conference play. 

In the opener, NKU jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after two innings, behind a pair of Flyer errors and a RBI single by freshman center fielder Kaylin Steinmetz (2-for-5, RBI, run).

The Flyers took advantage of a Norse error in the top of the third, as junior shortstop MIchelle Vucsko (Chicago, Ill./Marist) (Chicago, Ill./Marist) roped a two-out, three-run homer following a throwing error by NKU third baseman Michelle Carson, to even the score up at 3-apiece.

The Norse added a run in the third and fourth innings to take a 5-3 lead, behind a RBI double by right fielder Dana Jarboe (2-for-4, RBI) and a RBI single by catcher Kari Lang.

Lewis posted a four-sport in the fifth inning on a two-run double by Vucsko (2-for-4, 2 runs, 5 RBI), a RBI double by junior designated player Alexis Munaco (Bloomingdale, Ill./Lake Park) (Bloomingdale, Ill./Lake Park) and a squeeze bunt by junior right fielder Lauren Hanford (Morris, Ill./Morris) (Morris, Ill./Morris) to take a 7-5 lead over the Norse.

The Flyers seemed poised for the victory as they took that lead into the bottom of the seventh inning, but NKU first baseman Natalie Papi hit a two-run homer off of Lewis relief pitcher Ali Brems (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside) (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside) to send the game into extra innings with the score tied at seven.

The score would remain tied until the 10th inning when Lewis junior center fielder Jayme Hefler (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) drew a walk, stole second base and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore left fielder Jessica Rourke (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) (Lockport, Ill./Lockport). Hefler (2-for-5, 2 runs) would score the eventual winning run, as Lang's pickoff attempt sailed into left field, pushing the Flyers' ahead, 8-7.

Lewis starting pitcher Karissa Habel (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) earned the win for the Flyers, as she allowed five runs - three earned - and eight hits in seven innings of work. Habel (6-6) struck out three batters in the win. NKU starting pitcher Emily Schwaeble (16-5) took the complete-game loss for the Norse, scattering eight runs - three earned - and striking out four batters.

Brems, Munaco and senior catcher Mary Giancarlo (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) each had a pair of hits for the Flyers in the opener.

Lewis freshman pitcher Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) dominated the nightcap, as she tossed a complete-game, four-hit shutout while fanning five Norse batters to improve to 7-4 on the campaign. Her counterpart, Alex Caudill (7-9), also went the distance, allowing two runs - one earned - and seven hits while striking out two batters.

Hefler (2-for-4, run) was once again the table setter for the Flyers in game two, as she led off the game with a bunt single, stole second and moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Rourke. Hanford would plate Hefler with the first run of the game with a RBI groundout.

Lewis tacked on an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning as senior pinch runner Katie Healy (Homewood, Ill./Marian Catholic) (Homewood, Ill./Marian Catholic) scored from third base on a dropped fly ball from Jarboe at right field to extend the Flyers' lead to 2-0.

"Northern Kentucky is a great ballclub that is loaded offensively, so our pitchers and our defense has to be ready at all times," Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said. "I thought Michelle Vucsko (Chicago, Ill./Marist)'s performance in the opener helped give us the confidence to comeback in the later innings. We played well today and just had that never say die attitude and we were able to come away with the sweep."

Lewis heads to Louisville on Saturday (Apr. 7) to square off with Bellarmine for an 11 a.m. (EST) twinbill.