Game 1:New Mexico Highlands 7, Fort Lewis 6 (8 innings)
Game 2: Adams State 7, Fort Lewis 6
ALAMOSA, Colo. — Fort Lewis (2-8 overall, 0-5 in the
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) came up on the short end of a pair of 7-6 losses Saturday, the first in extra innings to New Mexico Highlands (7-9-1, 1-4-1) and the latter thanks to a two-run rally by host Adams State (5-4, 4-0) in the bottom of the sixth inning.
“We played much better ball today,” said third-year FLC head coach
Kira Zeiter. “We always want to come away with the wins, but we did every aspect better today than last weekend. We plan on continuing to move in the right direction.”
Fort Lewis had a 6-2 lead entering the final frame against Highlands in the opener, but the Cowgirls rallied for four runs to tie the score and force the extra frame. The final runs came with FLC just one out from victory.
The big inning saw Brittany Potter and Shelby Watts hit back-to-back doubles to left center off hard-luck losing pitcher
Kassie Haubert (1-5). A groundout and a Lynnsey Johnson single through the left side scored pinch runner Claire Hoy to cut the FLC lead to 6-4. After Haubert struck out Amber Cordero — one of three K's recorded by the senior hurler in the game — Tess Oliphant drew a walk. Dominique Padilla doubled to right center to score two and tie the game.
After a 1-2-3 Skyhawk inning, NMHU's Watts hit another double in the top of the eighth and was singled home by Molly McDougal to give the Cowgirls their first lead of the game.
The Skyhawks couldn't answer in the bottom of the eighth, giving NMHU the come-from-behind win.
Erica Conley was a perfect 3-for-3 in the game to lead FLC, driving in one and scoring twice.
Missy Fundora and
Chelsea Rodriguez each went 2-for-4 against the Cowgirls, with Fundora hitting FLC's first triple of the year and the first three-bagger of her collegiate career. Rodriguez smashed her second double of the season.
Watts and McDougall each had three this for the Cowgirls.
Jessica Brink worked eight innings to improve to 5-5 on the season for NMHU, striking out four Skyhawks along the way.
In the second game, Fort Lewis busted out of the gates with four runs in the top of the first. A
Destinee DeHerrera single was flanked by walks drawn by Fundora and Rodriguez to set the table for cleanup hitter
Kaylynn Harmon. The sophomore rose to the occasion, doubling to right to score two. After
Kamali'i Peneku walked to load the bases again, ASU starter Linda Hernandez got the hook, leaving the game without recording an out. FLC scored two more after she left, though, on a
Myndee Thompson sacrifice fly and a
Hayley Bolyard single.
Adams State chipped away at the lead the next three innings, eventually tying the contest on a D.J. Consonero single in the bottom of the third.
Fort Lewis reclaimed the lead in the next frame by immediately loading the bases on a Rodriguez single and back-to-back walks by Harmon and Peneku. Bolyard's two-run single scored two and gave FLC a 6-4 lead.
ASU got one back in the bottom of the fourth on a Brittani Richins sacrifice fly.
The Grizzlies took the lead in the bottom of the sixth, capitalizing on an FLC error while spraying three singles.
The Skyhawks went quietly in the seventh with a pair of strikeouts and a liner to third.
Victoria Johnson (1-2) pitched six strong innings, allowing just four earned runs while striking out three to suffer defeat for FLC.
Morgan McWilliams (2-0) worked the final four innings of relief to earn the victory. She didn't' allow a run and gave up just three hits while striking out six.
Rodriguez and Bolyard each had two hits to lead FLC's offense in game two.
ASU's all-everything centerfielder Katelyn Lovato went 3-for-4 with three RBI to lead the grizzlies. Consonero was 3-for-3.
Quad play between the three schools continues tomorrow. The Skyhawks face Adams State at 10 a.m. and New Mexico Highlands at noon tomorrow.
