UPCOMING GAMES
The Fort Lewis College softball team will continue their season at the Cactus Classic in Tucson, Arizona this Friday and Saturday. The Skyhawks will play five games over a three day stretch.
 
Fort Lewis will start the Cactus Classic against the Academy of Art at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, followed by a bout with No. 23 Dixie State at 2 p.m.
 
On Saturday, the Skyhawks will match up against Lincoln Memorial at 9:30 a.m. Following a game break, Fort Lewis will resume play against Lubbock Christian at 2 p.m.
 
FLC will finish up the five game weekend on Sunday when they go head-to-head with Academy of Art at 9:30 a.m.
 
Cactus Classic Schedule
Friday, February 17
Vs. Academy of Art – 11:30 a.m. Stats: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/artu/
Vs. No. 23 Dixie State – 2 p.m.
 
Saturday, February 18
Vs. Lincoln Memorial – 9:30 a.m.
Vs. Lubbock Christian – 2 p.m. Stats/Video/Audio:  https://portal.stretchinternet.com/lcu/
 
Sunday, February 19
Vs. Academy of Art – 9:30 a.m. Stats: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/artu/
 
 
NOTES
The Skyhawks enter the weekend with a 1-4 record on the season.
 
Gianna Melaragno's performance at the West Texas A&M Invitational earned her a RMAC Player of the Week award. Melaragno batted 8-for-16 with two doubles and two triples this past weekend. She also added 10 runs scored, three runs batted in, and two walks.
 
Angelique Elemen is tied for first in the RMAC with four doubles this season. Elemen has also driven in 10 runs, which is tied for third in the league. Melaragno is tied for second in the league with two triples and is fourth in the league in runs scored, passing home plate 10 times.
 
Fort Lewis is ranked fifth in the conference for team fielding. They have a 94.4 percent fielding percentage through five games this season. The Skyhawks pitchers have recorded 17 strikeouts and the team is hitting at a .304 batting average. 
 
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
To start off the Cactus Classic, Fort Lewis will go against the Academy of Art, who boast a 3-3 record on the season. Gabi Hirsch is batting .563 (9-16), which leads the Urban Knights. Freddie Carrillo leads the team with six runs batted in.
 
The Urban Knights are led in pitching by Hannah Rose Balke, who is holding opponents to a team high .250 batting average. She has also pitched a team high 15.1 innings.
 
Following the Academy of Art matchup, the Skyhawks will face No. 23 Dixie State University. The Trailblazers own an 8-1 record on the season. Jessica Gonzalez leads DSU with five home runs, 15 runs batted in, 11 hits, and 12 runs scored. Gonzales is also batting at a .550 average this season.
 
The Trailblazers pitching is led by Brooklyn Beardshear who owns a 4-0 record on the season. Beardshear who has pitched 22 innings, is holding opponents to a .244 batting average, and has a 12-to-3 strikeout to walk ratio.
 
To start off Saturday, the Skyhawks will go up against the 4-0 Lincoln Memorial University. Meredith Johnson leads the Railsplitters with five runs batted in. Kelsie Hocutt leads the team with five hits and is batting at a .357 mark.
 
Brianna Taylor leads the team with 14.0 innings pitch and is holding a 2.50 era for LMU.  Both games Taylor has pitched have been complete games.
 
Lubbock Christian University is 11-1 on the season and received votes (21) in the NFCA Division II poll. Sydney Beuthien leads the Chaparral's in hits (18), home runs (2), and runs batted in (14); all while batting .486 on the season.
 
LCU's pitching is led by Katera Eltsosie who leads the team with a 0.78 earned run average and is throwing a 29-to-4 strikeout to walk ratio. Eltsosie also leads the team in opponent batting average, holding opposing teams to .181 hitting average.
 
UP NEXT
FLC will travel to Golden, Colo. Feb. 25-26 to open league play with two double headers against Colorado School of Mines.