Game 1 Box Score (PDF) / Game 1 Box Score (HTML)
Game 2 Box Score (PDF) / Game 2 Box Score (HTML)
Clermont, Fla. - It was not the greatest start to the day, but the Lewis University softball team finished on a good note.
Lewis managed just two hits in a 6-0 loss to Ashland in the opening game of their regional doubleheader, but the Flyers responded with a 7-5 victory over the Eagles in the nightcap at the National Training Center on Tuesday (March 3) morning.
"I did not think we played very well in the first game," Lewis head softball coach
Becky Pearl said. "I was, however, proud of the way we came back and turned our enthusiasm around.
"We took advantage of some Ashland mistakes in the second game and I thought we executed well."
With the split, Lewis is now 6-3, while Ashland moves to 5-1 on the campaign.
In the opener, Lewis senior
Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) took her first loss of the season. Bowler (5-1) allowed six runs and eight hits in three innings of work. Ashland center fielder Taylor Menha proved to be Bowler's foil as she went 2-for-4 with four RBI, including a bases-loaded triple.
Ashland starting pitcher Amber McDermott earned the complete-game, two-hit shutout victory. She struck out six Flyers and issued one base on balls.
The Flyers only managed four hits against Ashland in the nightcap, but Lewis was afforded extra opportunities due to five Eagle errors.
Ashland jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but the Flyers responded with five unanswered runs to secure the victory.
Kickstarting the Lewis offense was starting pitcher
Carly Jaworski (Lemont, Ill./Lemont). Jaworski went 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored, including the game-tying homer in the fourth inning. Freshman right fielder
Jenna Cairo (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) added a two-run double and scored a run in the Flyers' crucial four-run fifth inning.
Lewis center fielder
Justina Doll (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) scored two runs in the victory.
Lewis reliever
Lainie Schweickert (Peru, Ill./St. Bede Academy) picked up the victory for the Flyers. Schweickert allowed two runs and two hits while fanning one in 2.1 innings of work. Bowler came on in relief of Schweickert in the sixth inning and struck out three batters to earn her first save of the season.
Lewis returns to action on Wednesday (March 4) as the Flyers take on both Walsh (9 AM ET) and Cedarville (1 PM ET).
