Fort Lewis College softball got off to a bad start in their weekend series against the University of Colorado- Colorado Springs Mountain Lions on Friday. They lost the first game of the series with a final scores of 12-0 in the early bout, which ended in five innings. Although the first game was dismal, the Skyhawks won 10-7 in the late game.
The Skyhawks (6-33, 5-25 in RMAC) are 2-10 in their last three series and are overall not having a great season. The Mountain Lions (11-25, 10-21 in RMAC) on the other hand are having a slightly better season than the Skyhawks.
In the first game of the day played in Aztec, New Mexico, the Mountain Lions pounced on the Skyhawks early and often. UCCS scored one in the first before breaking out for a huge second inning in which they scored six runs.
Skyhawk starter Olivia Goldberg only allowed one run in the first but could not get an out in the second inning before allowing five more runs and being pulled in favor of senior Megan Redd, who allowed one more run before getting the Hawks out of the second down 7-0.
Freshman Kelly Decker came in and pitched the final three innings for the Skyhawks. She pitched admirably but still allowed five runs on seven hits and also hit a batter.
FLC could not find a way to get anything going on offense and couldn’t stop anything with pitching or defense in the first game, which ended in five innings because the umpires called the game over. However, the second game was a whole different story.
In the second game, Skyhawk freshman Madison Stanich pitched all seven innings. The Skyhawks got off to a rough start, but built momentum throughout the late afternoon game.
The Mountain Lions scored four runs in the first inning, including a double by Makenna Smith. In the bottom of the frame, sophomore Angelique Elemen hit a two run homer to begin the Skyhawks’ ascent.
FLC scored one run in the bottom of the second to cut the UCCS lead to one, 4-3. After a single by senior Tehenia Telliano, Cassie Sloan came in to pinch run. Sloan went ahead and stole second base and later scored on a fly ball to center field.
UCCS scored in the top of the third by a home run by Sophomore Rayle Glover. FLC scored to runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at five.
In the bottom of the fourth, Skyhawk senior Adriana Rosthenhausler bunted up the third base line. Rosthenhausler got to second when the UCCS first base woman missed the catch. The Skyhawks scored two on a single to left field by Elemen which gave the Skyhawks their first lead of the day.
The Skyhawks led 7-5 going into the fifth inning, but gave up two runs to the Mountain Lions in the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the inning, Skyhawk senior Mandy Owens hit a one run single, and Kellsi Peterson hit a two run triple to right field.
The 10-7 lead by the Skyhawks proved to be too much as they took the second game of today’s doubleheader.
FLC plays another doubleheader against UCCS tomorrow in Aztec with the first game starting at 11 a.m.