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Liberty, Mo. - The Lewis University softball team and William Jewell College swapped places in the Great Lakes Valley Conference standings, as the host Cardinals earned the 6-4 (9 inn.), 8-7 doubleheader sweep over the Flyers at the Spratt Complex on Monday (April 20) afternoon.

With the sweep, William Jewell (27-20, 13-13 GLVC) moves into sole possession of eighth place in the GLVC standings, and currently gives them the final bid in the upcoming conference tournament. Lewis falls to 21-20 on the campaign and 11-13 in GLVC play.

"It's disappointing to know that we were in control of our own destiny and now we have to depend on other teams in order for us to qualify for the tournament," Lewis head softball coach Becky Pearl said. "We had our chances today on many different occasions, but just did not execute when those opportunities arose."

The opening game was scoreless through five innings before Lewis senior first baseman Kelsey Ullrich (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North) put the Flyers ahead with a RBI single in the top of the sixth. The Cardinals, however,  responded with a three-spot, highlighted by a two-run single by senior first baseman Kelsey Teneycke to take a 3-1 lead over Lewis.

Lewis would even the score up at three in the seventh inning with a two-run single by freshman left fielder Kaylee Prieto (Chicago, Ill./Marist) and took the lead on a RBI single by sophomore Carly Jaworski (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) in the top of the ninth.

That lead was short-lived, as WJC junior left fielder Nona Pauline took an 0-2 offering from Lewis senior pitcher Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) over the right-center field wall for the game-winning, three-run home run.

Bowler came on in relief of starting pitcher Lainie Schweickert (Peru, Ill./St. Bede Academy). Bowler gave up three runs and six hits in 2.1 innings pitched, while striking out three batters. WJC starting pitcher Shelby McGraw claimed the complete-game victory, scattering four runs - two earned - and eight hits, while striking out two.

Prieto topped the Flyers' offensively, as she went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Ullrich and Jaworski both collected two hits and a RBI in the loss.

In the nightcap, the Flyers looked to be on the ropes, as William Jewell scored four runs in the fifth inning to take a 6-2 lead.

Lewis, however, responded with five unanswered runs, highlighted by Jaworski's second home run of the game - a two-run shot - to take a 7-6 lead heading into the bottom half of the sixth inning.

WJC put runners at second and third with one out, bringing Brooke Bernard to the dish in the sixth. Bernard plated Madi Giles with a RBI groundout, tying the game at seven and moving Megan Barnes over to third base with two outs. WJC's Kelsey Morgan sent a grounder back to Bowler, but the senior hurler was unable to gather it, allowing Barnes to score for the game-winning run.

Jaworski went 2-for-4 with three RBI, two home runs and two runs scored, while Prieto went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a RBI to lead the Flyers offensively. Lewis senior center fielder Justina Doll (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) was 2-for-3 at the dish and scored a run.

Bowler (13-12) took the loss for the Flyers, giving up three runs - two earned - and five hits in three innings, while striking out three batters. McGraw (12-8) came on in relief for the Cardinals, and allowed two runs and three hits in three innings of work.

Lewis returns to action on Saturday (April 25), as the Flyers welcome Drury to the Lewis Softball Field for 12 PM twinbill.