Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 GM 1 Box Score (HTML) / GM 1 Box Score (PDF)
GM 2 Box Score (HTML) / GM 2 Box Score (PDF)

Romeoville, Ill. - Northern Kentucky University scored all of six of its run via the long ball, as the Norse earned the 1-0, 5-3 Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader sweep over the Lewis University softball team at the Lewis Softball Field on Sunday (Apr. 1) afternoon.

"These are two devastating, incredibly tough losses," Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said. "We've been out-hitting all of our opponents, but we're just not seeing the fruits of our labor. It's more of 'where and when' you hit the ball and not how hard you hit it."

With the sweep, Northern Kentucky improves to 22-12 overall and 12-8 in GLVC action, while the host Flyers fall to 16-21 on the campaign and 8-14 in conference play.

In the opener, Lewis freshman pitcher Ali Brems (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside) (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside) allowed two hits and struck out nine Norse batters. One of those hits, however, proved to be the difference, as Northern Kentucky catcher Kari Lang belted a solo homer with two outs in the top of the seventh for the winning run.

NKU junior pitcher Emily Schwaeble (16-3) claimed the complete-game, four-hit, shutout victory as she struck out three batters.

Lewis junior left fielder Jessica Rourke (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) led the Flyers offensively, as she went 2-for-3 in game one.

In the nightcap, Lewis was poised to salvage the doubleheader split, as senior pitcher Karissa Habel (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) was pitching a two-hit shutout through six innings of work, while striking out eight batters, as the Flyers held a 3-0 lead.  Habel allowed a one-out single to Lang, who was plated with a two-run homer by Natalie Papi, to cut Lewis' lead to 3-2 with one out in the seventh.

Habel then plunked Norse left fielder Mandi McQueen and was relieved by Brems. Brems retired the first batter she faced, but issued a two-out, infield single to second baseman Dee Dee Davis to put runners at first and third for freshman center fielder Kaylin Steinmetz. Steinmetz, who leads the GLVC in home runs, promptly deposited a Brems' offering over the left field wall for a three-run blast, giving NKU the 5-3 victory.

Brems (7-11) allowed two runs and three hits in 0.1 innings of work to take the loss. NKU starting pitcher Alex Caudill (6-8) scattered three runs and seven hits, while striking out three batters, for the complete-game victory.

Lewis junior center fielder Jayme Hefler (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) led the Flyers offensively, going 2-for-4, including a two-run triple in the fifth inning, and a stolen base.

The Flyers return to action on Tuesday (Apr. 3), as they welcome UW-Parkside to the Lewis Softball Field for a 3 p.m. doubleheader.