The Fort Lewis College softball team went 2-3 during the five-game season-opening tournament in St. George, Utah.
The Skyhawks split Saturday’s doubleheader to close out the Courtyard Classic with a big 5-4 win against Montana State University-Billings before a tough 11-0 loss to close out the weekend against Northwest Nazarene.
Brianna Leavell was the star for FLC in the win against MSU-Billings. She was the winning pitcher, and her two-run single in the top of the fifth inning proved to provide the winning runs, as MSU-Billings would come back with four runs in the bottom of the seventh before FLC closed out the win.
Also for FLC, Sloan Shotton hit a two-run homer to open the scoring in the fifth.
Leavell (1-0) pitched all seven innings for the Skyhawks. She allowed only three hits and walked three while she struck out eight. All four runs against her were earned. MSU Billings made the final three outs tough, as Britanee Fisher singled to drive in Allie Hughes for the team’s first run of the game. Payton Reynolds then scored on a groundout by Skyler Jenkins before Hailee Gregerson belted a two-out, two-run homer. But Leavell was able to get Cailee Morgan to pop out to shortstop to end the game.
In the loss to Northwest Nazarene, FLC went down 3-0 in the first before giving up an eight-run top of the third inning in the lopsided loss.
FLC used four pitchers. Kassidy Trumbo (1-1) did not record an out after starting the game, and she was charged with the loss. She allowed three runs on three hits and a hit batter.
Emily Morris came on in relief and went 2 1/3 innings. She allowed five runs on four hits and one walk. Many Lorenson lasted 2/3 of an inning and gave up three runs on two hits and a walk, while Kelly Decker pitched the final two innings to keep the opponent off the scoreboard the rest of the way. Decker allowed two hits and struck out four to only one walk.
FLC hitters made plenty of contact despite the shutout loss, as the Skyhawks struck out only twice. But only four balls put in play would go for hits, and none went for extra bases.
The Skyhawks (2-3) will stay on the road until March 7. Non-conference games will continue Friday at the Cactus Classic in Tucson, Arizona. FLC will open at 10 a.m. Friday against Southern Nazarene University.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
