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Romeoville, Ill. - The Lewis University softball team received some assistance from UW-Parkside in their opening game on Tuesday (Apr. 3), and then they helped themselves in the nightcap on their way to the 9-5, 9-0 (5 inn.) Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader sweep over the Rangers at the Lewis Softball Field.

In game one, Lewis took advantage of five UW-Parkside errors and scored six unearned runs in the win, while the Flyers connected for three home runs in the second game en route to the abbreviated contest.

"We really needed that," Lewis head softball coach George DiMatteo said. "We've been hitting the balls well, but we haven't won lately.

"I thought the players really relaxed out there today and we scored a ton of runs," DiMatteo continued. "It's a real good feeling, we were very loose and maybe that's what we needed."

With the sweep, Lewis improves to 18-21 on the season and 10-14 in GLVC action, while the visiting Rangers fall to 5-31 on the campaign and 4-18 in conference action.

In the opener, the long ball appeared to be the Flyers' nemesis once again, as UW-Parkside's Kelynn Sporer (solo) and Lauren Vitiello (3-run) each connected for home runs off of Lewis starting pitcher Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) to take a 5-4 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth inning.

Lewis, however, caught some breaks in the frame, as UW-Parkside committed three errors in the inning, which led to a pair of unearned runs, giving the Flyers the 6-5 advantage. Lewis tacked on three insurance runs in the sixth inning on a RBI groundout by sophomore left fielder Jessica Rourke (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) (Lockport, Ill./Lockport), a RBI double by junior shortstop Michelle Vucsko (Chicago, Ill./Marist) (Chicago, Ill./Marist) and a RBI single from junior right fielder Lauren Hanford (Morris, Ill./Morris) (Morris, Ill./Morris).

Lewis junior center fielder Jayme Hefler (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) led the Flyers offensively, as she went 3-for-4 with a pair of stolen bases. Those two stolen bases helped Hefler to the Lewis all-time stolen base record, giving her 104 swipes for her career, breaking the previous record of 103 set by Robin Martz (Lanark, Ill./Eastland) (2003-06). Senior catcher Mary Giancarlo (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) went 2-for-3 with a RBI, while Hanford recorded two RBI on the afternoon.

Bowler (6-4) earned the complete-game win for the Flyers, she scattered five runs and 11 hits, while striking out four batters. Sporer (2-11) took the complete-game loss for the Rangers, as she surrendered nine runs, three earned, and 10 hits, while striking out two batters.

In the nightcap, Lewis took it to the Rangers immediately with a four-run first inning, highlighted by a two-run homer by Rourke off of UW-Parkside starting pitcher Kristin Kleinmeyer. The fireworks continued in the third inning, as Lewis freshman first baseman Kelsey Ullrich (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North) (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North) chased Kleinmeyer (2-14) from the game with a two-run homer - the first of her career - over the center field wall. Giancarlo added a solo home run off of Rangers relief pitcher Hayley Schneider for good measure in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Five different Flyers had two base knocks in game two, including Hefler (2-for-4, run), Rourke (2-for-3, 2 RBI, run), Hanford (2-for-2, 2 runs, RBI), freshman designated player Ali Brems (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside) (Kenosha, Wis./Harborside) and freshman Frankie Rys (Homer Glen, Ill./Marist) (Homer Glen, Ill./Marist). Brems and Rys both added a RBI in the win.

Lewis senior pitcher Karissa Habel (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) was virtually unhittable, as she tossed a complete-game, two-hit shutout. Habel, who struck out three batters, improves to 5-6 on the season.

Lewis returns to action on Friday (April 6), as they head to Highland Heights, Ky., to square off with Northern Kentucky for a 12 p.m. (EST) doubleheader.