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Romeoville, Ill. - The Lewis University softball team took advantage of six McKendree errors, which led to nine earned runs, and helped the host Flyers to the 8-2, 5-4 Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader sweep over the visiting Bearcats at the Lewis Softball Field on Saturday (Apr. 6) afternoon.

"McKendree, despite their record, showed that they are a formidable foe," Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said. "They struggled in the field today and that opened up some opportunities for us."

With the sweep, Lewis improves to 12-8 overall and 7-3 in GLVC action, while the visiting Bearcats drop to 6-19 on the season and 4-13 in conference play.

In the opener, McKendree took a 2-1 lead into the fourth inning, before the Flyers, led by two RBI from both seniors Michelle Vucsko (Chicago, Ill./Marist) (Chicago, Ill./Marist) and Alexis Munaco (Bloomingdale, Ill./Lake Park) (Bloomingdale, Ill./Lake Park), scored seven unanswered runs to secure the win.

Flyer senior outfielders Lauren Hanford (Morris, Ill./Morris) (Morris, Ill./Morris) and Jayme Hefler (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) led Lewis with two hits apiece. Hefler, who reached base all four times in the opener, scored three runs, while Hanford was plated once.

Lewis sophomore pitcher Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) earned the complete-game win for the Flyers, as she scattered eight hits and surrendered two earned runs. Bowler (7-4) struck out four batters in the win.

Bowler's counterpart Susan Goetze (4-5) took the loss for the Bearcats, as she gave up eight runs, four earned, and seven hits in six innings.

Offensively, McKendree was led by a 2-for-3 performance, including a solo home run, by sophomore center fielder Erica Johnson.

The Flyers struck first in game two, as they touched McKendree starting pitcher Taylor Barnouski for five unearned runs in the opening frame. Sophomores Ali Brems (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside) (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside) and Justina Doll (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) provided the crushing blows for the Flyers as they both notched two-run singles.

McKendree rallied back and drew within 5-4 in the seventh inning. The Bearcats loaded the bases with no outs against Bowler, who came on in relief of Brems. Bowler induced two consecutive pop outs and retired Marla Schulte to end the game and earn her second save of the season.

Brems (5-4) earned the win for the Flyers, as she gave up three runs and eight hits in six innings of work. Barnouski (1-3) took the loss for the Bearcats, as she gave up five unearned runs and five hits in six innings.

Johnson had two more RBI for the Bearcats in game two, while junior left fielder Caitlin Stredde went 2-for-4 with a run.

Lewis returns to action on Sunday (Apr. 7), as the Flyers welcome Bellarmine for a 12 PM doubleheader.