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Springfield, Ill. - The Lewis University pitching tandem of Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) and Ali Brems (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside) allowed zero earned runs, nine hits and struck out 15 batters in 15 innings, as the sophomore duo keyed the Flyers to an 8-1, 2-1 (8 inn.) Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader sweep over Quincy University at the Land Of Lincoln Junior Olympic Softball Complex on Saturday (March 16) afternoon.

Bowler (3-2) allowed one unearned run and six hits, while fanning nine Hawk batters. Brems (2-1) held the Hawks to three hits and struck out six batters.

"We opened up conference with a great first day," Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said. "We pitched extremely well and I'm very pleased with the way our players performed in some frigid conditions and not having played in over a week."

With the sweep, Lewis improves to 5-3 on the campaign and 2-0 in GLVC action, while the Hawks fall to 7-13 on the season and 2-4 in conference play.

In the opener, Lewis used a five-run third inning to spur the Flyers to victory. Lewis senior center fielder Jayme Hefler (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two stolen bases to lead the Flyers offensively. The Flyers also received two hits, a run and a RBI from junior third baseman Jessica Rourke (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) and senior shortstop Michelle Vucsko (Chicago, Ill./Marist). Sophomores Kelsey Ullrich (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North) and Frankie Rys (Homer Glen, Ill./Marist) each chipped in two RBI for the Flyers.

Quincy pitcher Lauren Francis (4-6) took the loss for the Hawks, as she surrendered eight runs, six earned, and 11 hits while fanning seven batters.

In the nightcap, the Flyers were trailing 1-0 down to their final pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning, as they had a runner on second base with two outs and an 0-2 count to senior pinch hitter Alexis Munaco (Bloomingdale, Ill./Lake Park). Munaco hit a Texas League single past the outstretched arms of Quincy shortstop Alanna Viken to plate pinch runner Justina Doll (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) with the game-tying run.

After Brems retired the Hawks in order in the top of the eighth inning, Hefler reached base on a Viken fielding error and advanced to second on a Rourke sacrifice bunt. Vucsko moved Hefler over to third base with a deep flyout to left field.  Hefler would then score the game-winning run on a walk-off wild pitch by Quincy starting pitcher Wendy Macias (3-5).

Macias allowed two runs, one earned, and four hits in 7.2 innings of work, while fanning six batters.

The Flyers return to action on Sunday (March 17) as they square off with UIS for a 12 PM doubleheader.