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Allendale, Mich. - As the number nine hitter in the Lewis University line-up, RBI opportunities haven't often presented themselves to Flyer right fielder Lauren Hanford (Morris, Ill./Morris) (Morris, Ill./Morris). 

But when they do, the Morris, Ill., native makes the most of it. 

Hanford connected for a two-out, RBI single in the top of the seventh to help propel  the No. 22 Flyers to the 1-0 win over the No. 18 Tiffin Dragons in the opening game of the NCAA Midwest Regional Softball Tournament at the GVSU Softball Field on Friday (May 13) afternoon. 

With the win, Lewis improves to 35-12 and will face the winner of Grand Valley State/Quincy at 11 a.m. (EST) on Saturday (May 14) morning. Tiffin (39-14) will take on the loser of that contest immediately following.

Lewis junior catcher Mary Giancarlo (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) got the ball rolling for the Flyers in the seventh inning with a one-out single. Flyer pinch runner Alicia McKendry (Minooka, Ill./Minooka) (Minooka, Ill./Minooka) advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman left fielder Jessica Rourke (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) (Lockport, Ill./Lockport).

Hanford then deposited an offering from Tiffin starting pitcher Mindy Meredith into left center field to score McKendry from second base for the lone run of the game.

"I told Lauren (before her at-bat) that she had some good swings (against Meredith) in her previous two at-bats," Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said. "I liked her in that situation. She had been seeing the ball well, hitting well and she came through for us.

"I'm really happy for her."

Meredith (15-4) was the hard luck loser for the Dragons, as she allowed just three hits and struck out seven batters on the afternoon. Her counterpart Diana Pickrum (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) was up to the task, as she earned her fourth-straight, complete-game shutout victory for the Flyers.

Pickrum (18-4) allowed four hits and struck out five batters to extend her scoreless streak to 29.1 innings. She left nine Dragons' on base, including five in scoring position.

"Diana really bore down today," DiMatteo said. "She really challenged Tiffin to hit her pitch. Tiffin is a fast-ball hitting team and Diana's change-up was really working today."