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Clermont, Fla. - It wasn't a pretty day offensively or defensively for the Lewis University softball team, as the Flyers committed a combined six total errors and left 16 runners on base, but they still came away with a win.

Cedarville shutout the Flyers, 4-0, but Lewis rallied in the nightcap, scoring two runs in the ninth to earn the 4-3 extra-inning victory over Notre Dame College at the NTC Softball Complex on Wednesday (March 5) morning.

"It was a good comeback after losing a tough game (to Cedarville)," Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said of the Flyers' win over Notre Dame College. "We struggled in various areas (today) and I feel fortunate to come away with a victory."

With the split, Lewis is now 4-6, while Notre Dame College is 6-5. Cedarville is 8-2 on the campaign.

Despite Lewis' troubles, Notre Dame was equally as inept, as the Falcons committed three errors and stranded 11 runners of their own. The ninth inning with the score tied at 2-all  proved to be the downfall for the Falcons.

After being placed on second base for the international tie-breaker, junior center fielder Justina Doll (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) advanced to third base on a wild pitch by NDC hurler Mackenzie Wallace (0-4). Sophomore right fielder Brittany Russell (Oswego, Ill./Oswego East) drew a walk and stole second base to put runners at second and third with no outs for freshman second baseman Carolyn Nojiri (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North).

Nojiri missed her attempt on a squeeze bunt that put Doll in a rundown. Doll, however, scored as Notre Dame third baseman Lydia Coccitto muffed the throw by Falcon catcher Maria Vanadia, putting Lewis ahead, 4-2. Russell, who moved to third on the play, would score on a RBI single by Nojiri (2 runs, RBI).

Notre Dame rallied in the bottom half of the frame, as designated player Anissa Kotoch scored from second base on a fielding error by Flyer first baseman Kelsey Ullrich (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North) to cut Lewis' lead to 4-3. NDC first baseman Rachelle Miller, who advanced to second on the play, was stranded, as Lewis starting pitcher Chase Machain (Chicago, Ill./Trinity) induced a game-ending flyout.

Machain (1-2) earned her first collegiate victory, allowing three runs, one earned, and seven hits while striking out three batters. Wallace gave up four runs, one earned, and six hits, while striking out four batters and issuing five walks.

Lewis freshman center fielder Dani Knaak (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) went 2-for-4 to lead the Flyers offensively.

In the opener, Cedarville scored four runs, three of which were unearned, in the fifth and sixth innings, as the Yellow Jackets earned the 4-0 regional victory.

Lewis junior pitcher Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) took the complete-game loss for the Flyers. Bowler (2-2) allowed four runs, one earned, and 11 hits while striking out two batters. Her counterpart Courtnie Spain (3-2) held Lewis to just three hits and struck out seven Flyer batters.

Cedarville first baseman Nikki Eigsti went 3-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored to lead the Yellow Jackets offensively.

"Cedarville is a very good team," DiMatteo said. "In fact, they might be the best team that we've faced this year."

Lewis returns to aciton on Thursday (March 6), as the Flyers face both Lake Erie (9 AM) and Findlay (11 AM).