CANYON, Texas – A pair of crooked innings from the Buffaloes was the difference maker as the Fort Lewis College softball team fell 9-4 against West Texas A&M University in the first appearance for the blue and gold at the West Texas A&M Invitational Tournament.
Fort Lewis drops to 2-3 overall on the season while West Texas A&M remains undefeated at 8-0.
"I'm really proud of our group tonight," Fort Lewis College Head Coach Dwight Sanders said. "The difference in our game from last week against [West Texas A&M] to tonight was night and day. Caydee fought hard in the circle and even picked herself up with a big solo shot. Tonight, we took a big step in the right direction, and I think these girls are starting to fall in love with the process."
Caydee Farnworth (0-2) toed the rubber for the Skyhawks, throwing 5.1 innings and allowing nine runs, seven of which were earned, on ten hits, three walks, and two strikeouts. Farnworth was dealt the loss while Amiee Shanks closed out the final 0.2 innings with no runs and no hits.
Emilee Boyer (4-0) earned the win for West Texas A&M. The freshman threw 4.1 innings allowing three earned runs, all on home runs, with three strikeouts.
The Skyhawks kept pace with the Lady Buffaloes in the early innings, limiting the home team to just a single run on a sacrifice fly to center field off the bat of Julie Guzman in the bottom of the first inning.
Fort Lewis responded promptly in the top of the second inning, scoring two runs to recapture the lead thanks to a two-run home run from Kayla Stone: her first of the season.
The damage began to pile on in the bottom of the fourth inning after a two-out double down the left-field line and a two-run home run to center field and an error by the Skyhawks put the Lady Buffs ahead 6-2.
Farnworth picked herself up in the top of the fifth inning with a solo home run, the first of her collegiate career, and Madyson Devers scored another on an infield single in the top of the sixth, but West Texas A&M scored three more in the bottom of the sixth to seal a 9-4 lead.
Alyssa Gutierrez led the blue and gold with two hits on the night featuring a double just over third base in the top of the fifth inning. Additionally, Alex Tenorio and Hannah Rutherford each stole a bag in tonight's contest.
Gabbie McConnell was the only Lady Buff with two hits while Boyer and Shyanne Sanchez each had a pair of runs batted in.
NEXT UP
Fort Lewis is right back in action tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 12, for a doubleheader against Eastern New Mexico University. Game times are scheduled for 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Mountain Standard Time.
