Romeoville, Ill. - Despite rapping nearly 30 hits against the William Jewell pitching staff, the Lewis University softball team managed a split against the Cardinals in its Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader on Sunday (April 17) at the Lewis Softball Field. Lewis took the opener 7-2, while the Cardinals (22-24, 12-14 GLVC) emerged with the 8-5 win in the nightcap.

Lewis (18-28, 6-20 GLVC) returns to action on Saturday (April 23), as they head to Rolla, Mo., for a 12 PM GLVC doubleheader against Missouri S&T.

GAME ONE
Lewis 7, William Jewell 2
Box Score (PDF) / Box Score (HTML)
WP: Sanders (5-3); LP: McGraw (13-15)
HR: McGraw (7); Brems (1)

Lewis jumped out to an early 7-0 lead after three innings and never looked back on their way to the 7-2 win over William Jewell in the opening game. Senior first baseman Ali Brems (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside) and sophomore left fielder Kaylee Prieto (Chicago, Ill./Marist) combined to go 6-for-8 at the dish with three RBI and three runs scored. Brems was 3-for-4 with two runs and a two-run home run, while Prieto was 3-for-4 with a run and a RBI in the victory.

Lewis sophomore designated player Jenna Cairo (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) went 2-for-2 at the dish, scoring and driving in one run for the Flyers.

Lewis freshman pitcher Dara Sanders (Crestwood, Ill./Mother McAuley) earned the complete-game victory for the Flyers, allowing two runs - one earned - and seven hits, while striking out six batters. William Jewell starting pitcher Shelby McGraw took the loss for the Cardinals, giving up seven runs - four earned - and 12 hits, while fanning two batters.

GAME TWO
William Jewell 8, Lewis 5
Box Score (PDF) / Box Score (HTML)
WP: Biondo (7-4); LP: Fossey (3-9); SV: McGraw (3)
HR: Dabbour (7); Pauline (6)

William Jewell returned the favor in the nightcap, as the Cardinals also scored the first seven runs of the game en route to the 8-5 victory over the Flyers. WJC first baseman Phoebe Dabbour went 2-for-3 with four RBI, including a two-run homer to pace the Cardinals' offensive attack. The Cardinals also received a solo home run from designated player Nona Pauline (2-for-3, run, RBI).

Cardinals starting pitcher Anna Biondo scattered five runs and 15 hits in 6.2 innings of work to earn the win. McGraw stifled a late Flyer rally, retiring Brittany Russell (Oswego, Ill./Oswego East) - who was the game-tying run - to end the game, earning her third save of the season. Lewis pitcher Paige Fossey (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) was tagged with the loss, allowing three runs - two earned - and two hits in one inning.

Brems (run) and Cairo (2 RBI) both went 3-for-4 to lead the Flyers offensively, while freshman third baseman Jessica Lofthouse (Oswego, Ill./Oswego) and senior left fielder Nicole Kappelman (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) each recorded two hits. Lofthouse had a RBI double and scored on a RBI single by Kappelman (2 RBI, run).