KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Lewis baseball swept a non-conference doubleheader at Truman State on Saturday (March 12). The Flyers won game one 8-3 and game two 7-4. Both games were seven-inning contests, however game two was halted after five innings due to rain and darkness. Truman State was a Division II World Series participant last season after winning the Midwest Region.

Game One - Lewis 8, Truman State 3 (HTML Box | PDF Box)
Truman State out-hit the Flyers 12-11 in the opener, but the Flyers held a 6-1 advantage in walks. Junior Austin Schultz (Greensburg, Ind./Greensburg) walked three times.

"We did a good job of putting guys on base and making things happen on offense," Lewis head coach Tim McDonough said. "I was pleased with our approaches at the plate all weekend."

A run in the first and second innings gave the Flyers a quick 2-0 lead. Truman State tied it up in the third on a two-run home run by Dave Gambino. But the Flyers scored in each inning, except for the third and the sixth, to pull away from the Bulldogs.

Senior Kurt Becker (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) had four hits, including a double and a triple. Senior Chris Pikoulas (Frankfort, Ill./Carl Sandburg) knocked in three runs with two hits and a walk.

"In game one, it was nice to see the bottom part of the order produce runs," McDonough said.

Junior Alex Shake (Glasford, Ill./Canton) threw 4.1 innings to get the win. He allowed three runs and scattered eight hits. Junior Sam Couch (Bolingbrook, Ill./Joliet Catholic) threw the final 2.2 innings, giving up zero runs to pick up the save.

Game Two – Lewis 7, Truman State 4 (HTML Box | PDF Box)
The nightcap was halted after the fifth inning due to darkness and rain. It will go down as a 7-4 win for the visiting Flyers.

Lewis put up a six spot in the third inning. Sophomore Ethan Bloom (Schaumburg, Ill./Hoffman Estates) hit a two-run home run for the first two runs. The second big fly came off the bat of sophomore Sam Cybulski (Clarendon Hills, Ill./Lyons Township). His three-run home run made it 6-0. It was his first career home run. Truman State cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the third when three two-out walks came around to score on an error.

The Flyers held on for a 7-4 win with junior Nick Davito (Crest Hill, Ill./Lockport) throwing a scoreless fifth for his first save of the season.

Junior Jake Herron (Joliet, Ill./Joliet West) moved his record to 1-1 with the win. He allowed four runs, all unearned, in 4.0 innings of work.

"Game two was a little sloppy with the rain which made things difficult for both teams defensively," McDonough said. "But Jake pitched really well under the circumstances and Nick did a great job finishing things out."

Cybulski finished with three hits and four RBI.

"Sam had some outstanding at-bats," McDonough said. "His and Ethan's home runs gave us a big boost."

The Flyers improve to 7-5. Truman State falls to 6-9. The Flyers return to action on Friday (March 18) at the first ever Midwest Regional Crossover in Westfield, Indiana. Lewis' first game will be against Cedarville.