FLC 11, WNMU 9
WNMU 21, FLC 20

SILVER CITY, N.M. — Stephanie Janes drove in four runs and Olivia Bergman pitched five strong innings of relief to lead Fort Lewis to an 11-9 win over Western New Mexico in today's opener at the WNMU Softball Field.

It appeared the Skyhawks were well on their way to a four-game sweep in the nightcap before the Mustangs put up 11 runs in bottom of the sixth to not only stave off the eight run rule, but to take the lead in what was eventually a 21-20 WNMU win.

“It was two hard-fought games today,” said second-year FLC head coach Kira Zeiter. “In game one, we were able to string hits together to get the job done. In game two, both teams hit the ball well. It turned into an offensive battle and we came up just short.”

The Skyhawks (21-16 overall, 19-9 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) sprayed 16 hits in the opener, including a three-run homer by Janes, who finished 2-for-4. Chelsea Rodriguez went 3-for-5 as FLC rallied from 1-0, 6-3, and 9-7 deficits.

Western New Mexico (13-28, 8-20) roughed up FLC starter Alexis Villegas to the tune of eight runs and eight hits in just two innings of work. Bergman (3-4) shut down the Mustangs, though, allowing just one run and five hits in five innings.

The Skyhawks tied the score at 9-9 in the fifth on an RBI double by Jordan Willis and an RBI single by Destinee DeHerrera. FLC took the lead in the seventh on RBI singles by Cierra Walters and Rodriguez.

Bri Robles (5-9) took the loss for the Mustangs, giving up four runs in three innings of relief. Arriel Smith surrendered seven runs on 11 hits and took a no decision.

Western New Mexico's Aimee Vasquez, Kaitlynn Barnes and Kale Gahn each homered as the Mustangs had 13 hits in the opener.

The 29 combined hits in the opener were pale in comparison to the offensive explosion in the nightcap. Western New Mexico and Fort Lewis combined for 41 runs and 40 hits, including nine doubles and five homers. In the end of the see-saw affair, the Mustangs rallied from a nine-run deficit in a nightmarish sixth that saw them score 11 runs on 11 hits and three straight bases-loaded walks. Nine of the came across after FLC had notched two outs.

Fort Lewis trimmed the lead in half in the top of the seventh on a leadoff home run from DeHerrera, but stranded the game-tying run on first base.

Three Skyhawk pitchers were utilized in the sixth. Katie Watkins gave up six runs on seven hits while getting the first two outs. Stephanie Janes (2-5) faced seven batters in the sixth but recorded no outs to take the loss. She gave up five runs on four hits and three straight bases loaded walks. Villegas retired the lone batter she faced on a comebacker to the mound for the third out.

FLC starter Kassie Haubert lasted three innings, giving up eight runs on nine hits.

The Mustangs used five pitchers, with Kim McKnight (1-2) working the final 1.2 innings to earn the win.

Fort Lewis racked up 17 hits on the WNMU quintet, including a mammoth game from Natalie Janes, who homered twice and drove in six while going 4-for-6. Her two blasts tied a school record for most homers in a game (something she'd done twice before in her career), while her 10 total bases and six RBI rank second in the school record book. Rodriguez went 2-for-5 with three RBI.

The Skyhawks scored 20 or more runs for just the third time in school history. It was the first time FLC had lost when scoring at least 20 runs.

The 23 hits allowed by FLC are the most in school history.

Ashley Gonzales went 4-for-4 with three runs and three RBI to lead WNMU, which had 23 hits, including 10 that went for extra bases. Barnes and Ashley Eichenberger each collected three hits.

With three weeks remaining in the RMAC regular season, Fort Lewis remains in first place in league standings at 19-9 (.679). Colorado State-Pueblo (16-8, .667) and Colorado Christian (17-9, .654) are nipping at the Skyhawks' heels, though.

Fort Lewis closes out its 2012 home slate next weekend when it hosts Metro State (16-22, 13-13) on Friday (noon, 2 p.m.) and Saturday (11 a.m. and 1 p.m.). The series marks the final regular season home games for the Janes twins and Willis.