Box Score 1 | Box Score 2  / Holy Family Box Score (PDF) / Georgian Court Box Score (PDF)

Clermont, Fla. - After dropping a heartbreaking 4-2 decision to Holy Family on Sunday (March 2) morning, the Lewis University softball team left no doubt in the nightcap, as the Flyers used a seven-run third inning to claim the 8-4 victory - their first win of the season - over Georgian Court in the opening day of the Dot Richardson Spring Games at the NTC Complex.

"It's a relief to get that first victory," Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said. "We're a work in progress, and hopefully this is the start of something good."

With the split, Lewis is now 1-5 on the campaign. Holy Family is 2-0 on the season, while Georgian Court is 0-2.

Sophomore catcher Brittany Russell (Oswego, Ill./Oswego East) and freshman shortstop Carly Jaworski (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) combined for seven of the Flyers' 15 hits and four of their eight RBI on the day. Russell went 3-for-3 with a two-run triple against Georgian Court, while Jaworski was a combined 4-for-7 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in both games.

In the opener against Holy Family, Lewis broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth inning with a pair of RBI singles by freshman Carolyn Nojiri (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) and Chase Machain (Chicago, Ill./Trinity) to take a 2-0 lead.

That lead was short-lived, as Machain loaded the bases for Holy Family first baseman Erin Corrado in the top of the sixth inning. Corrado took an offering from Machain over the left center field wall for what proved to be the game-winning grand slam.

Machain (0-2) allowed four runs and four hits in 5.1 innings of work and struck out one batter. Her counterpart Bailey Walters (1-0) went the distance, surrendering two runs and four hits, while fanning three Flyers, for the win.

Russell and Jaworski proved to be the catalysts for the Flyers against Georgian Court, as they accounted for all four of their RBI in the decisive third inning. Jaworski had a two-run single, while Russell roped a two-run triple and scored on an error by Georgian Court second baseman Justine Mattia.

Lewis junior hurler Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) earned the complete-game win for the Flyers and retired the final 15 batters that she faced. Bowler (1-1) allowed four runs and eight hits, while striking out nine Lion batters. Georgian Court pitcher Tina Morgan (0-1) took the loss, giving up seven runs, six earned, and seven hits in 2.2 innings pitched.

Lewis returns to action on Monday (March 3) with a doubleheader against Dominican at 1 PM ET.