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Romeoville, Ill. - The Lewis University softball team showed its offensive capabilities in the opener and relied on pitcher Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) in game two, as the host Flyers earned the 5-3, 1-0 Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader sweep over UW-Parkside at the Lewis Softball Field on Tuesday (March 31) evening.

"I'm glad that we were able to push through and get two big wins today," Lewis head softball coach Becky Pearl said. "I was impressed with the way we came out offensively in the opener, but I wished we could have carried that momentum into the second game.

"We're going to keep working hard, keeping plugging away and we're going to keep working on our bats."

With the sweep, Lewis improves to 16-11 overall and 7-5 in conference play, while the visiting Rangers drop to 4-21 on the campaign and 0-12 in GLVC action.

In the opener, the Flyers pounded out 10 hits, including a solo homer by freshman right fielder Jenna Cairo (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) to lead off the game. Lewis broke the game open in the third inning, as the Flyers touched UW-Parkside starting pitcher Courtney Ellingson (4-6) for three runs, giving them a 5-2 lead. The Flyers received RBI from freshman Cori Reynolds (Lansing, Ill./TF South), senior Frankie Rys (Homer Glen, Ill./Marist) and junior Brittany Russell (Oswego, Ill./Oswego East) in the frame.

Russell (2-for-3, RBI) was one of three Flyers to record at least two hits, joining sophomore shortstop Carly Jaworski (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) and senior first baseman Kelsey Ullrich (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North). Jaworski and Ullrich (run) both went 2-for-3.

Lewis starting pitcher Lainie Schweickert (Peru, Ill./St. Bede Academy) went the distance for the complete-game victory. Schweickert (4-6) scattered five walks and 10 hits, while fanning five Ranger batters.

In the nightcap, UW-Parkside could not solve Bowler. Bowler (12-5) claimed the complete-game, two-hit shutout, while fanning a season-high 11 batters.

The Flyers recorded the lone run of the game in the fifth inning on a RBI double by Cairo that scored Russell from first base. Russell went 2-for-2 in the nightcap.

Lewis returns to action on Friday (April 3), as the Flyers host McKendree for a 12 PM GLVC doubleheader at the Lewis Softball Field.