TUCSON, Ariz. – February 6, 2015 – The Fort Lewis College softball team started their season at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Leadoff Classic at Lincoln Park in Tucson, Ariz. Friday afternoon.  The Skyhawks fell in the opening game to No. 4 Southeastern Oklahoma State University, 15-4, in six innings.  The night cap ended in a 6-5 loss to Colorado Mesa University.  The game was called in the fifth inning due to Tucson's city ordinance not allowing park lights to be on past 11 p.m.
 
Against the fourth ranked team in the nation, the Skyhawks were held to eight hits and four runs. 
 
Down 3-0 in the bottom of the second inning, the Skyhawks tied the game with three runs.  Adriana Rosthenhausler singled to drive in Nikki Klepfer, followed by Myndee Thompson's triple that scored Rosthenhausler and Missy Fundora. 
 
Fort Lewis gave up seven runs in the fourth inning and another five in the sixth to trail 15-3.   Fundora doubled in the sixth inning to score Tehenia Telliano for the Skyhawks fourth run of the game, but FLC came up short as they were run-ruled by 11.
 
Victoria Johnson pitched the entire game and surrendered 15 runs on 18 hits with one strikeout.  Fundora accounted for three of the Skyhawks eight hits.
 
In the night cap game, Colorado Mesa charted two runs each in the first, second and third innings.  The Skyhawks tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the second.  With two outs to start the inning, Kaitlyn Bending singled followed by Missy Fundora's single.  Adriana Rosthenhausler loaded the bases after drawing a walk.  Thompson hit a single to drive in Fundora and Bending that knotted the game, 2-2. 
 
Trailing 6-2 in the top of the fifth with two outs and bases loaded, Mandy Owens singled to drive in Denae Fisher, Nikki Klepfer and Tristen Gilbert.  On the play, Owens advanced to second on an error but was thrown out rounding second base for the third out of the inning.
 
The Skyhawks recorded eight hits against the Mavericks.  Fundora and Owens each accounted for two hits.  Owens had two of the three Skyhawks runs batted in.
 
Kiley Raica made her first appearance of the season in the circle.  She pitched four innings and allowed four earned runs on six hits.
 
The Skyhawks will face Missouri-St. Louis Saturday afternoon to round out pool play.  Their final three games of the Classic will be bracket play.