JOLIET, Ill. - University of St. Francis had its nine-game winning streak snapped with a 6-1 loss in the opener but came back to blank NCAA Division II Lewis, 2-0, in the nightcap and salvage a split of Tuesday's baseball doubleheader at Silver Cross Field.

The Saints (28-13) were limited to just two hits in the opener by Lewis righthander Matt Zicher. USF threatened to score in the second when its first two batters reached base on a single by senior catcher Pat Grady (Sandburg H.S./Orland Park, IL) and a fielder's choice sacrifice bunt by senior center fielder David Heasley (Crystal Lake Central H.S./Spring Grove, IL) where Lewis failed to retire Grady at second base. But the Saints were unable to move either runner and failed to cut into the 3-0 lead that Lewis had taken in the top of that inning.

USF got its only run of the opener in the third inning. Senior second baseman Steve Witczak (St. Rita H.S./Chicago, IL) was hit by a pitch, moved to third on a single to right field by sophomore shortstop David Schwabe (Driscoll Catholic H.S./Wood Dale, IL) and then scored on a sacrifice fly by senior third sacker Andy Zurales (Lincoln-Way Central H.S./New Lenox, IL).

Lewis (26-25) sealed the game with another run in the fourth and two more in the seventh. USF senior starter Joe Koehler (Mount Carmel H.S./Worth, IL) suffered the loss to fall to 3-4.

Junior righthander David Hexdall (Morris H.S./Morris, IL) and freshman southpaw Ryne Gill (Waubonsie Valley H.S./Aurora, IL) combined to fire a six-hit shutout in the nightcap for the Saints. Hexdall (5-3) worked the first five innings and scattered all six hits with two walks and a career-high nine strikeouts. Gill pitched the final two frames and walked one and picked up his first career save.

The Saints, who were the visiting team in game two, scored the game's only two runs in the top half of the sixth inning. Junior left fielder Mark Ahern (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S./Homewood, IL) opened the inning with a walk and moved to second on Witczak's perfect sacrifice bunt. Schwabe then broke the scoreless tie with a triple that sailed over the center fielder's head. An infield grounder by Zurales pushed Schwabe across the plate with the second run.

USF had five hits in the second game, with Witczak collecting two of them. Schwabe had the triple and Zurales and junior catcher Brent Walters (Lisle H.S./Lisle, IL) added a single each.

Despite the loss in the first game, the Saints still have won 10 of their past 11 and 15 of their last 17 contests.

The Saints have seven regular-season games left and all are Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference contests. USF is currently in first place in the CCAC with an 18-5 mark and stands one game ahead of second-place Saint Xavier (17-6). The Saints play a single game at Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.) in Gary, Ind., on Wednesday. USF plays host to a three-game series with Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) on Friday and Saturday and then finishes the regular season with a three-game set against Trinity International next Wednesday and Thursday.

Friday's doubleheader with Cardinal Stritch begins at 3 p.m. at Silver Cross Field. Saturday's game will be a nine-inning single contest and is slated for an 11 a.m. first pitch at Silver Cross.