FLC 6, RU 4
DENVER — Natalie Janes hit a two-run homer in the fifth and
Kassie Haubert pitched her second straight complete game to lead No. 3 Fort Lewis (28-23) to a 6-4 win over Regis (22-26) this morning in the
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference playoffs.
“We had another strong, full-team performance,” said second-year FLC skipper
Kira Zeiter. “We were able to get the momentum late in the game and keep it until the end. Clutch hitting is important in the tournament and we are looking forward to keeping that going.”
Fort Lewis played small ball to take a 1-0 lead in the first.
Destinee DeHerrera led off with a single to right and advanced to second on a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by
Cierra Walters. After a
Chelsea Rodriguez walk,
Stephanie Janes singled up the middle to score DeHererra.
The Skyhawks pounded out five hits to push across three more runs in the second.
Natalie Janes led off with a single to right and advanced to second on
Hayley Bolyard's sacrifice bunt.
Jordan Willis,
Erica Conley, and DeHerrera hit consecutive singles to score two, while Walters' second successful sacrifice bunt plated another run.
The Rangers woke up in the fourth. Shannon Massine led off with a single through the left side. Breanna Backlund reached on a fielding error by Haubert. A passed ball later in the inning scored Massine and Natalie Adami doubled off the fence in left to score another, missing a home run by a few feet.
Regis scored two more runs on three hits and a throwing error by Haubert in the third, with the big shots delivered by Shelby Wieman (a leadoff double) and Massine (an RBI single to left).
Just as they did late in yesterday's 3-2 win over Metro State, the Skyhawk bats came to life late in the game.
Kamali'i Peneku led off the bottom of the fifth with a double to left, setting the table for
Natalie Janes, who lifted a high fly ball deep to the opposite field that cleared the right field fence and gave FLC a 6-4 lead.
Regis got a runner on second with two outs in the sixth, but Haubert responded with a strikeout of Wieman to end the rally.
The Rangers went quietly in the seventh, with a pop-up bunt to
Chelsea Rodriguez, and groundout that
Stephanie Janes corralled for an unassisted putout at first, and a liner back to Haubert to advance FLC in the winner's bracket.
Natalie Janes finished 2-for-3 and drove in a pair. DeHerrera went 3-for-4 with one RBI. Willis was 2-for-2. All totaled, the Skyhawks belted 12 hits. The only starter who didn't collect a hit, Walters, was masterful at the plate, though, executing a pair of sacrifice bunts and even driving in a run on one of them.
Despite her two errors in the field, Haubert (12-6) continued her strong play in the circle, striking out three while allowing just seven hits and one earned run. She also issued no free passes.
Massine and Breanna Bogdajeiwcz each collected two hits for Regis.
Sydney Gaffin (3-7) took the loss for Regis, allowing four runs on seven hits in just two innings. Molly Tyler gave up two runs on five hits in four innings of work.
Fort Lewis will meet No. 8 Colorado Mesa (26-20) at 4 p.m. this afternoon at the CSM Softball Field in Golden, Colo. The Mavericks handed No. 5 Nebraska-Kearney (25-23) a 4-1 loss today in Golden.
The winner of the FLC/CMU tilt will advance to the RMAC Championship Game at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow. The FLC/CMU loser will drop into the championship of the loser's bracket at 11 a.m. tomorrow in Golden. The RMAC tournament is a double-elimination affair.
Today's victory was the 28th of the season for FLC, tying the school record for most wins in a season. The 2008 Skyhawks went 28-26-1 overall (.538), winning the RMAC tournament and advancing to the NCAA playoffs for the only time in school history.
All of FLC's remaining games will be played at the Colorado School of Mines and will be streamed on America One ($9 per game). Live stats are also available.
