FLC 8, ASC 6
FLC 11, ASC 1 (5 innings)

ALAMOSA, Colo. — The Fort Lewis softball team (8-9 overall, 6-2 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) did something it hadn't done in five years: win a four-game series against Adams State (3-9, 1-7) today at the ASC Softball Field. Fort Lewis rallied for five runs in last two innings to take today's opener 8-6 and dominated the Grizzlies in five innings to win the nightcap 11-1.

“It was a solid offensive day throughout the lineup for both games,” said second-year FLC head coach Kira Zeiter, whose team sits atop the RMAC standings with three other teams after two weekends of league play. “We had a lot of good production from our bench today. All-in-all it was a great day throughout the lineup.”

The Skyhawks took a 3-1 lead in the first three innings against Adams State in the opener, with Chelsea Rodriguez driving in two of the runs — a single to center in the first to plate Cierra Walters and a solo home run in the third.

The Grizzlies responded with five runs in the fourth and fifth to take a 6-3 lead. Lizzy Schossow's two-run homer to left in the fourth started the damage, while D.J. Consonero chased FLC starting pitcher Stephanie Janes in the fifth with an RBI triple.

For the second day in a row, though, the Skyhawk bats came to life late. Kamali'i Peneku started the sixth with a double; Natalie Janes followed suit with a double of her own to cut the lead to 6-4. Twin sister Stephanie singled to trim the margin to a single run, but the Skyhawks failed to put the tying run across with nobody out in the frame.

They didn't waste their chances in the seventh, though. Destinee DeHererra, Rodriguez, and Mindy Thompson had back-to-back-to-back singles to start the frame. In a case of déjà vu, the Janes twins struck again, with Natalie driving in one on a ground out and Stephanie knocking in two more with a double down the left field line. She finished the game 3-for-4 with three RBI.

Rodriguez also went 3-for-4, driving in two while dropping her seventh bomb of the season that's not yet a month old.

Olivia Bergman (1-2) pitched the final 2.2 innings in relief to earn her first collegiate victory, surrendering no runs on just two hits.

ASC's Brandi Lovato (1-4) pitched the final three innings in relief of Linda Hernandez and took the loss, giving up five earned runs on eight hits.

Fort Lewis outhit ASC 16-12 in the opener. No Grizzly had more than two hits.

There was no doubt about the outcome in the second game. Kassie Haubert (3-2) started for the Skyhawks and was unhittable. In fact, she had a no-hitter going through three innings when her club staked her to a10-0 lead. She allowed two walks, but struck out four of the 10 batters she faced before giving way to reliever Katie Watkins, who made her collegiate debut.

“It was the right thing to do,” said Zeiter, who knew Haubert was flirting with history. “Katie did phenomenal for her first performance. She did what she does best — mix some speed and mix some spots to get little grounders in the infield.”

The Grizzlies only managed two hits and one run off Watkins, who pitched two innings.

Fort Lewis, though, exploded for 11 runs and 13 hits in the game that was shortened by the eight-run rule. Walters belted her first round-tripper of the season and Bolyard hit her third, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI. The Janes sisters again provided timely hitting, with Natalie going 1-for-2 with three RBI and Stephanie 1-for-3 with two RBI.

Michelle Leyba (0-1) took the loss for the Grizzlies, allowing six runs and six hits in two innings of worked. She faced five batters in FLC's six-run third and was beaten up with triples by Erica Conley and DeHerrera, Walters' homer, a Bolyard double, and a walk to Rodriguez.

Morgan McWilliams fared no better in relief, giving up five more runs on seven hits.

The Skyhawk backed up their pitching throughout both games, committing no errors in their 12 innings on the diamond.

The Grizzlies had dominated the all-time series heading into this weekend, posting an 89-27 record against the Skyhawks since Fort Lewis added the sport in 1984. In fact, the Skyhawks had previously won just three four-game sets against Adams State — in 2001 (3-games-to-1), in 2004 (4-0), and in 2007 (3-1).

Fort Lewis has a busy week in front of them. On Wednesday, they travel to Colorado Mesa (8-4, 6-2) for a two-game set with the Mavericks at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Skyhawks are slated to host UC-Colorado Springs (7-5, 5-3) at Aspen Field. Due to snow covering the field, though, the games may be forced south to Ricketts Field No. 3 in Farmington, N.M. A decision will be made on location later this week. First pitch is set for noon and 2 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Ricketts Field was friendly to the Skyhawks in late February, when they opened RMAC play with three wins in four tries against Black Hills State.