Romeoville, Ill. - The Lewis University softball team split its home opener on Thursday (March 23), as the Flyers dropped a 13-12 decision to Saint Xavier in Game One, but rallied for the 7-5 win over the Cougars in the nightcap at the Lewis Softball Field.

With the split, Lewis is now 15-8 overall on the campaign and the Cougars are 10-8.

Lewis returns to action on Friday (March 24), as the Flyers host No. 25 Missouri-St. Louis for a 1 PM Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader at the Lewis Softball Field.

GAME ONE
Saint Xavier 13, Lewis 12
WP - Kuzel (2-0); LP - Schweickert (2-3)
HR - Nojiri (1)

Traling 11-1, Lewis scored 10 unanswered runs - highlighted by a three-run double by junior third baseman Cori Reynolds (Lansing, Ill./TF South) - to tie the game up at 11-apiece in the fifth inning. The Cougars, however, scored two unearned runs in the sixth to regain the lead and hold on for the 13-12 victory over the Flyers.

Reynolds was 2-for-3 with three RBI and three runs scored, while junior left fielder Kaylee Prieto (Chicago, Ill./Marist) went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored to pace the Lewis offensive attack.

Lewis junior catcher Sarah DeMasi (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) went 2-for-3 with a RBI, while senior center fielder Carolyn Nojiri (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) recorded a solo homer, drove in two runs and scored a pair.

Flyer senior shortstop Carly Jaworski (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) drove in a pair of runs in the loss.

Lewis starting pitcher Lainie Schweickert (Peru, Ill./St. Bede Academy) took the loss for the Flyers in the circle. Schweickert (2-3) allowed 13 runs - seven earned - and eight hits, while allowing nine walks and striking out six batters in seven innings.

GAME TWO
Lewis 7, Saint Xavier 5
WP - Sanders (11-0); LP - Earl (0-1)
HR - Plimmer (2); Maupin (1)

Lewis scored a combined six runs in the fifth and sixth innings to complete a comeback from a 4-1 deficit and earn the 7-5 win over Saint Xavier in the nightcap.

Nojiri and sophomore first baseman Carley Maupin (Peotone, Ill./Peotone) combined for five of those six RBI to spur the Flyers. Nojiri was 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored, while Maupin was 2-for-4 - including the game-tying, two-run homer in the fifth inning.

DeMasi was 3-for-4 with two runs and a RBI, while Jaworski (run) and Prieto each recorded a pair of base hits in the Flyer victory.

Lewis sophomore reliever Dara Sanders (Crestwood, Ill./Mother McAuley) tossed two innings of two-hit, scoreless relief to improve her record to 11-0 on the season.