SVSU Box Score (PDF) / SVSU Box Score (HTML)
SNH Box Score (PDF) / SNH Box Score (HTML)

Clermont, Fla. - The Lewis University softball split their games for the fourth consecutive day, as the Flyers earned the 2-1 regional victory over Saginaw Valley State, but fell 3-2 in the nightcap against Southern New Hampshire in their final day of their Florida swing on Saturday (March 7) morning at the NTC Training Center.

"I'm really proud of our team and how they persevered today," Lewis head softball coach Becky Pearl said. "We didn't give up, we just just have to continue to keep attacking the at-bats and being aggressive."

With the split, Lewis moves to 9-6 on the season while the Cardinals drop to 8-9 overall. Southern New Hampshire improves to 9-2 on the campaign.

Against SVSU, Lewis found themselves trailing 1-0 after six innings. Lewis senior second baseman Frankie Rys (Homer Glen, Ill./Marist) led the seventh inning off with a single. Following a pop-up by pinch-hitter Alise Perna (Naperville, Ill./Metea Valley), freshman right fielder Jenna Cairo (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) drew a walk to put runners at first and second for junior left fielder Nicole Kappelman (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central). Kappelman was unable to move the runners over, as she lined out to short for the second out of the inning.

Sophomore shortstop Carly Jaworski (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) drew a base on balls to load the bases for senior first baseman Kelsey Ullrich (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North). Ullrich drove in both Rys and Cairo with the go-ahead, two-run single, but Jaworski was thrown out at third base to end the inning.

Lewis senior pitcher Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) picked up the complete-game victory for the Flyers. Bowler (8-3) allowed one run and six hits, while fanning seven batters. SVSU starting pitcher Sarah Appold (2-3) gave up two runs and six hits, while striking out four batters in a losing effort.

Against Southern New Hampshire, the Penmen touched Lewis starting pitcher Lainie Schweickert (Peru, Ill./St. Bede Academy) for three runs in the third inning, including a two-run homer by pitcher Ali Maloof. That would be all that Maloof would need, as she fanned 10 Flyers and limited Lewis to two runs, both unearned, and four hits in the complete-game victory.

Schweickert (1-3) gave up three runs, eight hits, while striking out six batters and issuing seven walks.

Lewis returns to action on Saturday (March 14) as they open Great Lakes Valley Conference play with a 12 PM doubleheader at Quincy.