Rolla, Mo. - Both the Lewis University and Missouri S&T softball teams utilized the big inning to each collect a Great Lakes Valley Conference victory at S&T Softball Field on Saturday (April 23) afternoon.

Missouri S&T scored four runs in the fifth to rally from a 4-1 deficit and earn the 5-4 win in the opener, while Lewis scored three in the top of the seventh to take the 6-3 victory over the Miners (14-35, 4-24 GLVC) in the nightcap.

"It's amazing what we are capable of when we minimize our mistakes and when we do make mistakes, we move on to the next batter," Lewis head softball coach Becky Pearl said. "When we attack at the plate, keep our focus and energy up - we're a fun team to watch!"

Lewis (19-29, 7-21 GLVC) returns to action on Sunday (April 24), as they head to Springfield, Mo., for a 12 PM GLVC twinbill against Drury.

GAME ONE
Missouri S&T 5, Lewis 4
Box Score (PDF) / Box Score (HTML)
WP: Viets (7-17): LP: Sanders (5-4)

Missouri S&T recorded four of its seven hits in the fifth inning and took advantage of two Lewis errors to rally from a three-run deficit with four runs and earn the 5-4 victory over the Flyers in the opening game.

Missouri S&T shortstop Hannah Franceschini went 2-for-3 with two RBI - including a RBI single in the fifth - and scored a run to lead the Miners offensively. Both Franceschini RBI singles drove in center fielder Monica Weiss (2-for-3, 2 runs).

Lewis starting pitcher Dara Sanders (Crestwood, Ill./Mother McAuley) took the loss for the Flyers, allowing five runs - four earned - and seven hits, while striking out four batters in six innings of work. Missouri S&T starting pitcher Kati Viets claimed the complete-game victory, allowing four runs - three earned - and two hits, while walking five batters and fanning one.

Lewis scored all four of its runs in the second inning with the benefit of only one hit. Freshman catcher Angie Giancarlo (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South), sophomore left fielder Jenna Cairo (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick), junior center fielder Carolyn Nojiri (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) and sophomore right fielder Kaylee Prieto (Chicago, Ill./Marist) all recorded RBI for the Flyers during the frame. Nojiri was the lone base hit in the inning with a RBI single.

GAME TWO
Lewis 6, Missouri S&T 5
Box Score (PDF) / Box Score (HTML)
WP: Schweickert (5-9); LP: Jackson (3-13)

After surrendering a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, Lewis junior shortstop Carly Jaworski (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) put the game to rest with a three-run double in the top of the seventh to give the Flyers the 6-3 win in the nightcap.

Jaworski (2-for-4, 3 RBI, run) and Nojiri (3-for-4, 2 runs) combined for five of Lewis' eight hits and scored three runs and drove in three runs to pace the Flyer offensive attack.

Lewis senior catcher Brittany Russell (Oswego, Ill./Oswego East) opened the seventh inning with an infield single and stole second base. Cairo drew a walk and Nojiri dropped a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. After Prieto was retired, Jaworski cleared the bases with a double to right center to put the Flyers ahead 6-3.

Lewis junior pitcher Lainie Schweickert (Peru, Ill./St. Bede Academy) picked up the complete-game, four-hit win. Schweickert struck out six batters and walked five in the victory. Miner starting pitcher Courtney Jackson allowed six runs - four earned - and eight hits in seven innings of work, while fanning and walking two batters in a losing effort.