EAST PEORIA, Ill. -- The Lewis University softball team picked up a huge victory against McKendree, 4-3, in the opening round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament Thursday (May 4). 

TEAM RECORDS
No. 3 seed McKendree 29-15 | No. 6 seed Lewis 33-17

SUMMARY
Lewis struck first in the second inning after Carrie Anderson (Roscoe, IL/Hononegah Community) reached on a fielder's choice which scored Sara Serena (Kankakee, IL/Kankakee). 

McKendree responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the third inning. 

The Bearcats took a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning after hitting a long ball to right.

Serena responded with her sixth home run of the season to tie it at 2-2 in the sixth. 

The Bearcats regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth after ripping a RBI double which made it 3-2. 

Gabi Nilles (North Aurora, IL/West Aurora) broke through in the top of the seventh inning as she connected on her first home run of the season to give Lewis a 4-3 lead.

Garden (15-6) recorded the win in the circle after going all seven innings, allowing six hits, giving up three runs (two earned), walking one and striking out eight.  

Serena had a big day at the plate after going 3-3 with two doubles, scoring twice and a RBI. 

UP NEXT
Lewis advances in the winner's bracket and will take on No. 7 seed Rockhurst Friday at 5:30 p.m.