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Romeoville, Ill. - The long ball proved to be the difference in both games as the Lewis University softball team and Ferris State battled to a doubleheader split at the Lewis Softball Field on Tuesday (Apr. 16) evening. Ferris State won the opener, 2-0, while the host Flyers rebounded for the 7-4 win in the nightcap.

"We'll take the split, because it was nice to see us come back," Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said. "Ferris State is a very good softball team that doesn't make any mistakes.

"I believe that they are a team that we will see in the NCAA playoffs."

With the split, Lewis is now 17-11 on the campaign, while the Bulldogs move to 16-10 on the season.

The opening game was a battle between Lewis sophomore pitcher Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) and her sister and Ferris State starting pitcher Dana Bowler. Both Bowler's held the opposing teams scoreless through five innings.

Ferris State, however, struck the deciding blow in the top of the sixth. Ferris State senior catcher Liz Hamming took Bowler deep over the left center field wall for a two-run homer. That would be all that Dana Bowler would need.

Dana Bowler (9-6) earned the complete-game shutout, allowing six hits, while striking out six batters. Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) (9-6) was the tough luck loser, allowing two unearned runs, four hits and struck out five Bulldog batters.

Offensively, Lewis senior shortstop Michelle Vucsko (Chicago, Ill./Marist) (Chicago, Ill./Marist) was the only Flyer to have any success against Dana Bowler, as she went 2-for-3.

In the nightcap, Lewis sophomore designated player Kelsey Ullrich (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North) (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North) set the tone early, as she connected for a grand slam in the first inning to put the Flyers ahead, 4-2.

Ferris State responded with two runs in the top of the second inning on a two-run double by senior center fielder Morgan Kramerich to tie the game up at 4-apiece. Kramerich recorded four of the Bulldogs' six hits off of Lewis starting pitcher Ali Brems (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside) (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside).

Brems, however, was able to help her own cause at the dish as she plated the go-ahead run with an RBI single that scored senior center fielder Jayme Hefler (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West), giving Lewis the 5-4 advantage.

The Flyers would tack on two more insurance runs in the sixth inning, as senior right fielder Lauren Hanford (Morris, Ill./Morris) (Morris, Ill./Morris) scored from first base on an Ullrich (2-for-3, 4 RBI, run) and a fielding error by Kramerich in center field.

Lewis junior first baseman Alyssa Moseley (Crown Point, Ind./Andrean) (Crown Point, Ind./Andrean) added to the Flyers' lead with a RBI single that scored pinch runner Gianna Coduti (Melrose Park, Ill./Trinity) (Melrose Park, Ill./Trinity) from second base to extend the advantage to 7-4.

Hefler and Hanford both went 2-for-3 with two runs scored to help the Flyers offensively.

Brems (8-5) earned the complete-game win for the Flyers, as she allowed four runs - two earned - and six hits while striking out four batters. Her counterpart, Amy Dunleavy (7-4) took the the loss for the Bulldogs, surrendering five runs and six hits in 3.1 innings of relief.

Lewis returns to action on Saturday (Apr. 20), as the Flyers welcome Southern Indiana for a 12 PM doubleheader at the Lewis Softball Field.