Romeoville, Ill. - Most softball coaches would panic if they had lost their top three hitters – who accounted for nearly half of their offensive output from the previous season – to graduation.

Not Lewis University's George DiMatteo.

Despite losing four-year starters in outfielders Jayme Hefler (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West), Lauren Hanford (Morris, Ill./Morris) and shortstop Michelle Vucsko (Chicago, Ill./Marist), DiMatteo will lean on a talented pitching staff that features two All-Great Lakes Valley Conference performers in juniors Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) and Ali Brems (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside).

Last season, Bowler and Brems helped the Flyers return to the NCAA Midwest Regional Tournament, as they combined for all 31 of Lewis' wins in 2013 on their way to All-GLVC East Division Second Team accolades.
Bowler was 18-9 with two saves and a 1.92 ERA, striking out 150 batters in 186.1 innings pitched.

"Kelly has certainly stepped it up as far as her command is concerned," DiMatteo said. "Her confidence has grown and has that feeling that there is no team she can't beat.

"She has a nice drop ball and a curve to go with it," DiMatteo continued. "Those are the best pitches for Kelly, because she really knows how to bear down when she has to throw a strike."

Brems was 13-9 on the campaign, fanning 104 batters in 140.2 innings pitched.

DiMatteo loves the tenacity that Brems brings to the circle.

"Ali has not been 100% healthy over the past two years, but when she is, her rise ball is devastating," DiMatteo said. "She's so good defensively, that she acts as a fifth infielder for us."

Brems also happens to be DiMatteo's top returning hitter, as she batted .308 with one homer and 19 RBI last season.  DiMatteo believes she can contribute as either a corner outfielder or designated player when not in the circle.

"We've got to find a spot for (Ali) when she's not pitching and when she is pitching, she will still hit," DiMatteo said.

DiMatteo also brought in the services of freshmen hurlers and former prep standouts Chase Machain (Chicago, Ill./Trinity) and Lainie Schweickert (Peru, Ill./St. Bede Academy). Machain took Trinity to the 2010 IHSA Class 3A Championship, while Schweickert led St. Bede Academy to a fourth-place finish in the 2013 IHSA Class 2A Tournament. DiMatteo has no hesitation in throwing the rookies right into action.

"Each (pitcher) has different array of stuff but all four are very, very talented," DiMatteo said of his pitching staff. "I am very confident that this is a really good group and I can't believe that any Division II team would have a pitching staff with this kind of depth."

Junior first baseman Kelsey Ullrich (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North) returns to the line-up for the Flyers. The Winfield, Ill., native broke out as a sophomore, hitting a team-best eight home runs with 25 RBI on her way to All-GLVC East Division Second Team honors.

"(Kelsey) made huge strides (last year) and this year she's even better than she ever was," DiMatteo said. "I can see her hitting six-plus homers again, but she's going hit a lot higher in the line-up this year."

Ullrich is not the only returning first baseman in the Flyer line-up, as DiMatteo brings back senior Alyssa Moseley (Crown Point, Ind./Andrean). The Crown Point, Ind., native hopes to regain her freshman form that saw her hit .309 with three homers and 16 RBI. DiMatteo would like to see both players in the line-up at both first base and designated player.

Shadowing Ullrich and Moseley at first will be returning starting second baseman Frankie Rys (Homer Glen, Ill./Marist). Rys, a junior, has started 82 games and owns a career batting average of .261. DiMatteo believes that Rys could see some time at shortstop and even third base this season.

"Frankie is very multi-faceted," DiMatteo said. "Outside of first base, she can play the other three infield positions, so we have several different options on the infield."

Rys is not the most experienced infielder on the Flyer squad, as that honor goes to senior third baseman Jessica Rourke (Lockport, Ill./Lockport). Rourke looks to regain her sophomore status that saw her bat .348 with two homers and 31 RBI en route to All-GLVC and All-Midwest Region Second Team honors.

"On offense, if Jess Rourke can duplicate her sophomore season, then our line-up will be in great shape," DiMatteo said.

Freshman shortstop Carly Jaworski (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) has the inside edge in taking over the position vacated by Vucsko. DiMatteo thinks that Jaworski can display some prodigious power, even as a newcomer to GLVC pitching.

"We think she is going to have a great offensive year for us, because she is a tremendous hitter," DiMatteo said. "She is capable of hitting two or three home runs in a game at our field.

"There's no end to what she can do offensively."

Sophomore catcher Kimmy Teats (Erie, Ill./Erie-Prophetstown) is back for her second year as the Flyer backstop. Teats, who took over as the starting catcher midway through her freshman campaign, finished the season with a .247 batting average and five RBI.

"Kimmy is a great fast ball hitter," DiMatteo said. "She's also gotten better defensively and looks to throw out more base-runners this season."

DiMatteo also expects freshman Carolyn Nojiri (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) to see extensive action this season, both as a middle infielder and/or outfielder.

Jaworski is not the only Flyer freshman that is starting right off the bat, as DiMatteo has tabbed rookie Dani Knaak (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) as Lewis' center fielder.

"(Dani) is a left handed slapper, a great bunter and also swings the bat," DiMatteo said. "She's a triple threat, who can also steal when called upon."

The corner outfielders could be rotated among three players including Brems, Machain and redshirt freshman Nicole Kappelman (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central).

While there is a healthy mix of veterans and rookies, the goal remains to win both conference and advance to the NCAA Tournament.

"If we get in the NCAA regionals, anything can happen," DiMatteo said. "I believe that we're one of the top four teams in the region and could make some noise in May."

Lewis opens the 2014 campaign on Saturday (Feb. 22), as the Flyers host the D2 Midwest Region Invitational at The Dome at the Ballpark in Rosemont, Ill. The Flyers will take on No. 17 Wayne State at 12 PM and follow that game up with a showdown against No. 4 Grand Valley State at 2 PM.