Gannon Box Score (PDF) / Gannon Box Score (HTML)
Wilmington (DE) Box Score (PDF) / Wilmington (DE) Box Score (HTML)

Clermont, Fla. - The Lewis University softball team was able to hold off one rally, but unable to hold off two, as the Flyers split both of their games on Friday (March 6) morning at Hancock Park. The Flyers opened with a 5-4 win over Gannon, but fell to Wilmington (DE), 7-6.

"I was really proud of how we fought out there today," Lewis head softball coach Becky Pearl said. "We didn't give up and kept pushing ahead, but unfortunately we came out on the short end against Wilmington."

With the split, Lewis is 8-5 on the season. Gannon is 6-3, while Wilmington (DE) improves to 3-1.

Against Gannon, Lewis jumped out to a 4-0 lead, highlighted by a two-run home run by senior first baseman Kelsey Ullrich (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North).

Gannon cut the lead in half in the fifth inning with two runs to bring the score to 4-2. The Flyers, however, answered with a RBI infield single in the sixth by junior left fielder Nicole Kappelman (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) to provide them with an insurance run, extending their lead to 5-2.

Lewis starting pitcher Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) surrendered a two-run homer to junior catcher Alyssa Bates (2-for-4, 4 RBI, run) in the seventh, as Gannon was within one at 5-4. Bowler, however, did not give up another hit and struck out two batters to secure the win for the Flyers.

Kappleman, freshman designated player Cori Reynolds (Lansing, Ill./TF South) and junior catcher Brittany Russell (Oswego, Ill./Oswego East) each collected two hits against Gannon. Russell (RBI) and Reynolds also scored a run for the Flyers.

Bowler allowed four runs and eight hits, while striking out four batters to pick up the complete-game victory. Her counterpart Alison Benz (3-2) took the loss for the Golden Knights, giving up five runs - two earned - and nine hits while striking out three batters.

Against Wilmington, the Flyers found themselves trailing 4-1 after three innings. Lewis responded with four unanswered runs, highlighted by two RBI from freshman left fielder Jenna Cairo (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick), to take a 5-4 lead after five and a half innings.

The Wildcats evened the score up at 5-apiece in the bottom half of the frame on a RBI double by left fielder Taylor Rizzotte.

The tie was brief, as Ullrich connected for a leadoff solo home run, her second blast of the day, to push the Flyers ahead, 6-5.

Wilmington, however, laughed last, as the Wildcats loaded the bases with no outs bringing right fielder Colby Wyatt to the dish. Wyatt ended the contest with one swing of the bat with a walk-off, two-run double off of Bowler to end the contest.

Bowler (7-3), who came on in relief of sophomore Lainie Schweickert (Peru, Ill./St. Bede Academy), allowed one run and two hits in 0.1 innings pitched to take the loss. Wilmington relief pitcher Shannon Brantley (1-0) picked up the win, allowing one run and one hit in 1.2 innings pitched.

Cairo, Reynolds and senior third baseman Bianca Garcia (Elmwood Park, Ill./Elmwood Park) each collected two hits for the Flyers against Wilmington. Reynolds and Garcia both scored twice, while Cairo crossed home plate once.

Lewis returns to action on Saturday (March 7), as the Flyers take on both Saginaw Valley State (9 AM ET) and Southern New Hampshire (11 AM ET).