Lewis (Ill.) 5 Wayne State 4 (8 inn.)

            Lewis University of Illinois edged Wayne State 5-4 in 8 innings Sunday morning in the Wildcats' opener at the 2022 National Training Center Spring Games Softball Tournament in Winter Haven, Florida.  The Flyers improve to 8-4 on the year while WSC drops to 2-12. 
            The Flyers opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first, but WSC came back with a three-run second to grab a 3-2 lead.  Alle Perea singled, Madison Gomez walked and Kortney Buresh singled to load the bases with all three runners scoring on a bases-loaded double from Kim Vidlak to put the 'Cats in front.
            After Lewis tied the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the third, WSC regained the lead with one run in the top of the fourth as Jenna Etmans delivered a two-out RBI single that brought home Perea for a 4-3 lead.
            Lewis knotted the score at 4-4 with a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth and the game remained tied through seven innings sending the contest into extra innings.
            In the bottom of the eighth, Lewis used a bases loaded walk on a 3-2 count to score the game-winning run to lift the Flyers in the 5-4 extra inning victory.
            Wayne State had one more hit than Lewis 11-10.  Buresh finished 3 for 5 with three singles to lead the Wildcats.  Perea was 2 for 4 with a pair of singles and two runs scored.  Vidlak doubled and had three RBI while Paiton Tornberg was 2 for 4 with a double.
            Junior Hadley Chvatal and freshman Samantha Felt worked in the circle for the Wildcats.  Chvatal started the game and worked the first three innings followed by four innings of relief from Felt.  Chvatal then came on in relief in the eighth inning and was tagged with the loss.
            Wayne State is scheduled to face Walsh of Ohio at 12:30 p.m. Central Time Sunday afternoon at the 2022 National Training Center Spring Games in Winter Haven, Florida.