ROMEOVILLE, Ill. -- The Lewis University softball team split both games of a doubleheader against Missouri S&T at Lewis Softball Field Sunday (April 14). The Flyers won the first game 5-4 in walk-off fashion while falling in the second game 1-0 during the Rae Strong and Alumni Game. 

The Flyers brought awareness and raised money for the Rae Strong Foundation, a Non-Profit organization that supports the families of Micro-Preemies. The roots of the Rae Strong Foundation began here at Lewis University.  It was founded by Dan Friend and Lorelee Smith, our Men's & Women's Head Volleyball coaches here at Lewis.

Through the Rae Strong Foundation, Dan and Lorelee are working to build an environment that fosters the incredible atmosphere that was given to them at Loyola Hospital's NICU, where any family with a micro-preemie can feel the hope and joy that comes with a miracle happening in front of you. The Rae Strong Foundation awards grants to individual families, hospital NICUs, and preemie supporting organizations on a yearly basis. 

Donate by visiting Raestrong.org. Rae threw out the ceremonial first pitch today. 

GAME 1: Lewis 5, Missouri S&T 4
TEAM RECORDS
Lewis 29-9, 14-3 GLVC | Missouri S&T 19-24, 10-9 GLVC

GAME 1 SUMMARY
Missouri S&T led off the game with a lead-off home run for an early 1-0 lead. Lewis responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second to grab a 2-1 lead. 

Evie Calderon (Chicago, IL/Whitney Young) reached base on a dropped third strike, Grace Kmak (Mokena, Ill./) drove her home with an RBI double to center which tied it at 1-1. Delaney Garden (Carpentersville, IL/Harry D. Jacobs High School) gave herself some run support after ripping a double which scored Kmak from second to make it 2-1 Lewis.

Both teams did not score in the third inning to keep it 2-1 Flyers. Missouri S&T regained the lead in the fourth inning after scoring a pair of runs in the top half. 

Lewis bounced back and responded with a couple of runs in the bottom half of the frame to regain the lead. Kristen Graham (Mapleton, IL/Illini Bluffs High School) started the inning with a single then advanced to second on an error, then Gabi Nilles (North Aurora, IL/West Aurora) drove her home and tied it with an RBI single to center.

The Flyers grabbed the lead after Garden drove home Nilles with her second RBI double of the contest to make it 4-3 Lewis. Neither team scored in the fifth and sixth inning as Lewis held on for a 4-3 lead. 

Missouri S&T rallied in the top of the seventh inning to tie the contest at 4-4. Lewis was able to walk it off as Jalyn Powell (Tolono, IL/Unity) connected on her sixth home run of the season, a solo shot to left field.

Garden (13-5) recorded the win in the circle, the junior tossed all seven innings, allowed 10 hits, gave up four runs (three earned) and struck out five.

GAME 2: Missouri S&T 1, Lewis 0
TEAM RECORDS
Missouri S&T 20-24, 11-9 GLVC | Lewis 29-10, 14-4 GLVC

GAME 2 SUMMARY
Both teams did not score in the first three innings before Missouri S&T struck first in the fourth to make it 1-0. Neither team scored in the fifth inning to keep it at 1-0 Miners. 

Lewis was only able to record one hit in the second game which came in the fourth inning. 

Payton Wuske (Frankfort, IL/Lincoln-Way East) (4-3) threw a complete game and suffered the defeat after all seven innings of work, allowing six hits, giving up one run and striking out three. 

UP NEXT
Lewis softball will be back in action Tuesday (April 16) as the Flyers travel for in-region opponent Ohio Dominican starting at 11 a.m. CT.