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Rosemont, Ill. - The Lewis University softball team found out where they stand among the best in the Midwest Region, and they stood tall, despite dropping decisions to both No. 17 Wayne State (3-0) and No. 4 Grand Valley State (2-1) on Saturday (Feb. 22) in the opening day of the D2 Midwest Region Invitational, hosted by the Flyers, at The Dome At The Ballpark.

"It was two well-pitched games and a strong defense just wasn't enough against two of the best teams in the Midwest region," Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said. "Giving up only five runs in two games usually results in a split, or a sweep.

"So we'll try to power up our offensive attack (tomorrow) so we can salvage a split for the weekend."

The Flyers managed only three hits for the entire afternoon, but were kept in both contests by pitchers Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport)  and Lainie Schweickert (Peru, Ill./St. Bede Academy). Both Flyer hurlers fanned seven batters, with Schweickert (0-1) surrendering six hits and Bowler (0-1) giving up five base knocks in complete-game losses.

The problem was their counterparts in Wayne State's Lyndsay Butler and GVSU's Sara Andrasik. Butler gave up one hit to Flyer junior left fielder Ali Brems (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside) and struck out six batters, while Andrasik allowed a pair of singles and fanned four Lewis batters.

Lewis' lone run came in the top of the fifth inning against Grand Valley State, as sophomore catcher Brittany Russell (Oswego, Ill./Oswego East) plated pinch runner Tori Hanford (Morris, Ill./Morris) with a squeeze bunt to put the Flyers ahead, 1-0.

The Lakers answered immediately in the top half of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Kelsey Dominguez and scored the game-winning run on a solo homer by Miranda Cleary in the top of the seventh.

Lewis returns to action on Sunday (Feb. 23) against both Winona State (11 AM) and Upper Iowa (1 PM) to close out the tournament.