CANYON, Texas – February 10, 2017 – The Fort Lewis College softball team won their first game of the season Friday evening against Missouri Southern State University, 8-4.  The win was the third game of the day for the Skyhawks at the West Texas A&M Invitational.
 
FLC opened their season Friday morning against No. 4 West Texas (L, 6-0), followed by Fort Hays State University (L, 14-12, eight innings).
 
"This was a tough day and a long day for our first day of games," said head coach Elle Fracker.  "We need to keep getting the rust off but it's always good to get the first win.  The bats carried us most of the day.  The defense still needs to catch up, but that is as expected."
 
In the night cap game, FLC trailed 4-0 heading into the bottom of the third inning but took a 5-4 lead by the end of the inning.
 
Allison Young put the Skyhawks on the scoreboard after scoring on a throwing error.  Adriana Rosthenhausler added the Skyhawks second run after Lauren Caldwell drew a walk that sent Rosthenhausler home.  Gianna Melaragno scored on Mandy Owens single up the middle followed by Tehenia Telliano's run on a wild pitch.  Caldwell scored the game-winning run from Young's single.
 
FLC held MSSU scoreless in the final four innings while Melarango added her second run on a throwing error in the fourth inning.  Young crossed home plate in the fifth inning on Angelique Elemen's double to right center before Melaragno crossed home plate for the third time to seal the win, 8-4.
 
The Skyhawks accounted for eight runs on 11 hits.  Melaragno went 2-for-2 with three runs and Young went 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs.
 
Madison Stanich earned the win in the circle after pitching the final 4.2 innings and allowing four hits and zero runs.
 
Fort Lewis started the day against the fourth ranked Buffs.  West Texas opened their first inning at the plate with four runs scored and added two more in the third inning.
 
Rosthenhausler, Tristen Gilbert and Telliano accounted for all three of the Skyhawks hits.  Stanich suffered the 6-0 loss after surrendering six earned runs on eight hits.  Kelley Decker finished the final three innings.  Decker held the Buffs scoreless on two hits while striking out four batters.
 
FLC came close to earning their first win of the season in game two against FHSU.  The Skyhawks led the Tigers 8-5 after three innings.  Elemen accounted for all three runs in the first inning when she hit a three-run home run.
The Skyhawks lead increased to 12-8 after six complete innings but the Tigers scored four unanswered runs in the top of the seventh to send the game into extra innings.  FHSU plated two runs in the eighth and held the Skyhawks scoreless for a 14-12 final.
 
FLC finished with 12 runs on 10 hits.  Rosthenhausler, Melaragno and Elemen each scored three runs.  Elemen went 2-for-3 with four runs batted in and three runs scored.
 
Fort Lewis allowed 14 earned runs on 14 hits and struck out four batters.
 
The Skyhawks will play their final two games of the Invitational on Saturday against Cameron (11 a.m.) and Washburn (1 p.m.)