Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 TUCSON, Arizona — The Fort Lewis College softball team earned a split on Saturday during Day Two of the Cactus Classic, grinding out an 8-4 victory over California University-Pennsylvania before ending the afternoon with a tight 4-1 loss to West Texas A&M University.

Fort Lewis (3-6 overall) got rolling early in Game One as it jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, courtesy of freshman Brianna Leavell's first career home run; a three-run shot that brough home the twins, Kylie Hefley and McKenna Hefley.

Leavell finished 2-for-3 and McKenna Hefley produced a team-high three hits (3-for-4, 2 runs scored) as the Skyhawks' combined to tie their season-high of 12 hits.

"It was a good game for us. We played well in all three facets; pitching, defense and hitting," said Fort Lewis head coach, Ashley Reeves. "I'm so proud of them. They came to play today."

FLC added a fourth run in the second inning when senior Cassie Sloan singled, stole second, advanced to third on an error and scampered home on a passed ball.

California-Pennsylvania (1-3 overall) would rally, though, plating four runs in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 4-4, but the Skyhawks were able to respond the next half-inning when junior second baseman Pilar Gutierrez smacked a RBI single back up the middle to score senior Taylor Hollestelle.

FLC then put the game away with a three-run sixth inning, capitalizing on two errors in the inning by the Vulcans and capped by a RBI double to right center by Leavell.

"It was huge for us to score there because (Vulcans) had all the momentum at that point," Reeves said. "I told the girls after that inning, 'Don't let them steal it. Let's go back out this inning and score some runs.' And they did just that."

Leavell finished the day with a season-high four RBI and picked up her second win of the season in the circle, throwing all seven innings and limiting the Vulcans to four runs on seven hits and striking out five versus one walk.

"Brianna has been great. She keeps her head on straight, she's going to be a very good player and a lot of great things to come from her," Reeves said.

Sloan finished 1-for-2 with two runs scored, freshman outfielder Sloan Shotton was 2-for-3 and Jalen Cooper moved to 3-for-3 this season as a pinch hitter with a single of her own in the victory.

As for Game Two, the Skyhawks again would draw first blood against West Texas A&M University (7-4 overall) as Kylie Hefley led off the ball game with her first home run of the season and sixth of her career.

Unfortunately for FLC, that would be the only offense they'd be able to generate against Buffs pitcher Kyra Lair, who tossed six scoreless innings the rest of the way to record her seventh win this season.

"She had a good inside pitch, she jammed us, and she had a really nice changeup," Reeves said of Lair.

In the circle for the Skyhawks, junior Kendall Rauk threw her best game of the young season as she went six innings and held a powerful Buffs lineup to four runs, only two earned, on four hits and struck out three.

One big swing created the difference in the game as WTA&M scored all four runs in the second inning, capitalizing on two errors by FLC compounded by a three-run home run by Ruby Salzman.

"Kendall pitched well enough to win that game for us," Reeves said. "Without the errors, we're out of that inning before that (home run) happens. We had back-to-back errors and that can't happen."

Fort Lewis will now turn its attention toward Sunday's fifth and final game of the Cactus Classic; a 10 a.m. matchup against the No. 2 ranked Texas A&M Kingsville Javelinas.

"They're ranked No. 2 in the nation, but you know what? They lost their first two games here just like we did," Reeves said. "Any team can win or lose on any given day. Hopefully the girls come to the field tomorrow with their head up, some confidence and we're able to take a from somebody."