DURANGO, CO - March 29, 2008 - The Fort Lewis College softball team improved to 11-16-1 on the year with two wins over the visiting Western New Mexico Mustangs on Saturday afternoon. The Skyhawks also improve their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) record to 7-9-1, while the Mustangs fall to 14-19 overall and 10-12 in the RMAC.
The Skyhawks took both games by a score of 3-2, including an eight inning come-back for the Skyhawks in game two.
In game one the Skyhawks gave up two first-inning runs and held the Mustangs scoreless the final six innings. The Skyhawks scored a run in the bottom of the fourth and two more in the sixth to grab the come-from-behind victory.
Cary Moone (Waterflow, NM/Georgia Southern) grabbed the win for the Skyhawks with a complete game and 13 strikeouts. She allowed just two runs on three hits. Barb Duran (Denver, CO/Wheatridge) went 2-for-2 from the plate with two RBI, including the game-winning RBI's in the bottom of the sixth. Brooke Bails (Centennial, CO/Cherry Creek Trails) recorded two runs in the win, including the game-winner, while Stevie Benedict (Hillsboro, OR/College of the Siskiyous) drove in one run on 1-for-3 at the plate.
In the second game of the day, Duran once again came through with the game-winning RBI in the bottom of the eighth inning. Prior to Duran's single to center field, the Skyhawks rallied in the bottom of the seventh with a run, forcing extra innings. The Skyhawks also could have put the game away in the seventh with the bases loaded and one out.
The Mustang's opened scoring in the second inning with a run and added another in the top of the fourth. With a two-zero lead the Skyhawks began the comeback in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Moone recorded the win in game two as well after entering the game in the sixth inning and throwing two strikeouts. She also recorded her third save of the season. Mary Oppenhein (Bountiful, UT/Garden City CC) pitched the first five innings allowing just one earned run and walking just one batter. Oppenhein allowed seven hits and faced 22 batters.
Duran went 3-for-5 at the plate with the game-winning RBI, while Bails went a perfect 4-for-4 with a run scored. Jenna Peters (Pinole, CA/Diablo Valley CC) scored the game-winning run and went 1-for-3 from the plate. Benedict went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Joanna Young (Fontana, CA/Fontana) went 1-for-3 with a RBI.
Duran led the Skyhawks with a .714 batting average on the day and three RBI. Bails hit .800 with three runs scored, while Benedict hit .500 with a RBI and a run scored.
Moone improved her season record 4-5 and grabbed her third save of the season. She now has 68 strikeouts this season and boasts a 3.08 earned run average (ERA). Oppenhein, receiving the no decision, improved her ERA to 6.00 on the season.
The Skyhawks return to action tomorrow afternoon when they host the Mustangs in another doubleheader scheduled to start at 11 a.m. on Aspen Field.
Game One - Box Score
Game Two - Box Score
