NMHU 6, FLC 2
FLC 6, NMHU 4

LAS VEGAS, N.M. — Olivia Bergman worked three scoreless innings of relief and Stephanie Janes hit a two-run homer in the sixth to lift Fort Lewis (23-20 overall, 21-13 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) to a 6-4 win at New Mexico Highlands (23-25, 15-19) in the second half of today's doubleheader and kick a three-game losing skid to the curb in the process.

“We had nice pitching performances all day, and it was nice to see the bats come alive in game two,” said second-year FLC head coach Kira Zeiter.

Fort Lewis scattered 15 hits in the nightcap. Chelsea Rodriguez went 5-for-5, setting a school record for most singles in a game and tying her own school record for most hits. Janes was 3-for-5 and hit her seventh bomb of the season.

Bergman (4-4) allowed just one baserunner — a one-out walk in the seventh — in her three innings of work, striking out three. Starter Kassie Haubert pitched well enough to win, allowing just four runs on four hits through four innings.

Jenelle Klassen (8-4) was saddled with the loss. She went 3.2 innings in relief of Jessica Brink and gave up three runs on eight hits and three walks. Erica Wieck worked the final 1.2 innings.

All four of Highlands' hits in game two were of the one-base variety, with Katie Kerr registering two of the base knocks.

Brink (9-6) pitched a complete game in the opener, stifling the Skyhawks throughout the game. Fort Lewis was only able to plate a pair of unearned runs on six hits and three walks. Brink didn't allow an extra base hit in the game and struck out five.

Alexis Villegas (6-6) was the hard-luck loser for FLC. She surrendered just eight hits and two walks.

Wieck and Brittany Potter each had a pair of hits against Villegas in the opener.

Rodriguez and Natalie Janes each had two singles in a losing cause for FLC.

“Tomorrow we want to focus on playing solid defense and keep the bats rolling,” said Zeiter.

Errors plagued Fort Lewis all day, as FLC committed two miscues in the opener and five in the nightcap.

The RMAC regular season standings couldn't be any closer, with five teams within a single game of the lead as the season enters the home stretch. Today's split knocked Fort Lewis into fourth place in the RMAC standings. Colorado State-Pueblo 21-11, .656) leads Colorado Christian (23-13, .639) by mere percentage points, while Colorado Mines (20-12, .625), FLC (21-13, .618), and Colorado Mesa (21-13, .618) are all within striking distance.

The regular season champion will host the RMAC playoffs from April 26-28. The league playoff winner will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs, which begin in early May.

Fort Lewis and New Mexico Highlands conclude their series with games set for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. tomorrow at Brandt Field.