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Romeoville, Ill. - The Lewis University softball team split its third consecutive Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader, as the host Flyers dropped the opener to Saint Joseph's, 4-0, but responded with the 6-5 win over the visiting Pumas in the nightcap at the Lewis Softball Field on Monday (March 30) afternoon.

"I didn't like what I saw of our team in the first game," Lewis head softball coach Becky Pearl said. "We were quiet with our bats and quiet in our dugout, which is not typical of a Lewis team.

"We got after them about playing our game the way we know how and having fun doing it," Pearl continued. "I'm proud of the way we came out in the second game and how we changed the tides.

"We had a different attitude and really brought it in the second game."

With the split, Lewis is now 14-11 overall and 5-5 in GLVC action while the visiting Pumas are now 12-12 on the campaign and 5-5 in conference play.

In the opener, the Flyer bats were held in check by Saint Joseph's starting pitcher Megan Schwartzengraber. Schwartzengraber allowed just five hits and struck out three batters to earn the victory. Puma reliever Jessica Cates tossed a scoreless seventh inning to earn her first save of the season.

Lewis' defense did not help matters in game one, as all four Puma runs were unearned, thanks to five Flyer errors. Lewis starting pitcher Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) took the loss for the Flyers. Bowler (11-5) allowed four unearned runs, struck out seven batters and gave up eight base hits.

The bats turned around for the Flyers in game two, as seven different people recorded at least one hit with three notching two base knocks on the afternoon. Freshmen Sarah DeMasi (Lockport, Ill./Lockport), Cori Reynolds (Lansing, Ill./TF South) and senior Justina Doll (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) each had two hits. DeMasi went 2-for-3 with a run scored, Reynolds went 2-for-2 with a run and a RBI and Doll went 2-for-3 with a RBI.

DeMasi, Reynolds and Doll all figured prominently in the Flyer victory, as Lewis found itself trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning. WIth two outs, DeMasi singled through the right side and scored on a Reynolds' triple to even the score up at 5-apiece. Doll put the Flyers ahead for good on the very next pitch, as she took a Schwartzengraber offering to right field for a go-ahead RBI single.

Lewis sophomore shortstop Carly Jaworski (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) also contributed to the Flyer offensive attack with a two-run homer - her third of the season - in the third inning.

Lewis starting pitcher Lainie Schweickert (Peru, Ill./St. Bede Academy) picked up the victory for the Flyers. Schweickert (3-6) scattered five runs and 10 hits while striking out eight batters. Bowler then retired starting pitcher Briana Wagner (3-for-4, 2 RBI) on a bases loaded fielders choice to earn her third save of the season.

Lewis returns to action on Tuesday (March 31), as the Flyers welcome UW-Parkside to the Lewis Softball Field for a 3 PM GLVC doubleheader.