The Lyle/Pacelli softball team moved itself into perfect position to claim its third consecutive Southeast Conference title after sweeping host Fillmore Central/Lanesboro Thursday.

L/P played six games in four days to move their record to 11-1 overall and in league play with six straight wins and seven of their last eight. The SEC title could actually be L/P's fourth straight conference crown when including Pacelli High School's dominance of the Hiawatha Valley League four seasons ago.

The Lyle/Pacelli squad hosts LeRoy-Ostrander/Grand Meadow Monday in Lyle at 4:30 p.m. A doubleheader sweep will guarantee L/P the conference crown.

Thursday's wins over Fillmore Central/Lanesboro brought L/P into a position for Monday's possible conference-clinching scenario. Amy Bickler tossed the complete-game two hitter in the opening 2-0 victory, while Susie Rayman made her debut in the circle for L/P with a three-hitter and a 6-2 victory.

L/P had only four hits in the opener, but managed to push across the game-winning run in the top of the first inning. Louise Mudra led off the game with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kate Boisjolie, took third on Bickler's groundout, and scored on single by Brianna Enfield.

Bickler scored L/P's second run after reaching on an error to start the sixth. Enfield walked before back-to-back singles by Rebecca Mino and Rayman plated Bickler as an insurance run L/P would not need.

Bickler struck out 12 in the game, walked only one, and tossed her sixth shutout of the season to spur the game one win. Mudra had half of L/P's four hits, going 2-3 with a run scored.

Rayman did an admirable job in her first outing of the season, scattering three hits and a walk over six innings. Neither FC/L runs came earned to Rayman, who struck out three.

"It was really nice to see Susie come in and throw for us, she did an excellent job," said L/P coach Tom Clements. "I'm happy with the girls played, the bats started coming alive in the second game."

L/P picked up the offense with eight hits in the nightcap, led by Mudra, Boisjolie and Bickler with two each. Three singles to start the game led to L/P's first run, and a four-run second inning gave L/P the game-winning outbreak. Bickler and Boisjolie each drove in two runs.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at :mailto:sports@austindailyherald.com.