AZTEC, N.M. – February 25, 2018 – The Fort Lewis College softball team opened their home season on Sunday with a doubleheader against Colorado School of Mines at the Aztec Tiger Sports Complex in Aztec, N.M.  The Skyhawks lost the series opener, 13-2 in six innings, and game two of the doubleheader, 6-1.
 
The games also marked the first of the season for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.  FLC moves to 6-10 overall and 0-2 in the RMAC.  CSM improves to 7-6 overall and 2-0 in the league.
 
In the series opener, the Orediggers took an 8-0 lead after three and one-half innings, but the Skyhawks plated two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.
 
Angelique Elemen started the inning by reaching first base on a fielding error.  Cassie Sloan entered the game to pinch run of Elemen and then stole second base.  Tristen Gilbert followed with a solid hit to left field that resulted in another fielding error for CSM and advancing Sloan to third base.  Sloan and Gilbert scored two runs for FLC after a wild pitch by the Orediggers.
 
CSM closed the game in the sixth inning, scoring five runs on three hits
 
Allison Young and Lauren Caldwell each tallied two hits in the first game.  Caldwell's double in the second inning was her fifth of the season.
 
In game two, FLC was held to three hits and one run.  Kellsi Peterson, Robyn Hall and Madelynne Blood-Smyth each posted a hit. 
 
FLC's lone run of the game came in the sixth inning.  Gilbert reached on a throwing error that scored Denae Fisher.
 
Kendra Keahbone started in the circle for FLC and pitched two innings, allowing five earned runs on five hits.  Kelly Decker finished the game, surrendering one run on eight hits and fanning five batters in five innings.
 
Both teams will be back in action on Monday.  First pitch goes out at 11 a.m.