It’s been two months in the making for the Fort Lewis College softball program, but for the first time this year, the Skyhawks will not have to get on the bus to play a “home” game.
FLC will run out onto Aspen Field to take on both Colorado School of Mines (14-11, 3-4 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) and the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (15-16, 11-8 RMAC) on Saturday and Sunday.
The FLC lacrosse team is also ready to take the field at home for the first time this season, as the Skyhawks will play Westminster College at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Ray Dennison Memorial Field.
Aspen Field and Ray Dennison Memorial Field were under snow for the first half of the season, and the teams were forced to play in Aztec or even in Alamosa for scheduled home games.
FLC softball head coach Elle Fracker is more than ready to take Aspen Field this weekend. It will be only the second home series for FLC softball the end of the 2016 season. A lengthy field renovation project went beyond the 2017 season and into the final weekend of the 2018 campaign, with the Skyhawks’ players putting in some of the final work on their home dugout. FLC played home games in Aztec during that renovation.
“We were laughing earlier saying that we might want to take a couple of laps on the bus around campus just because that’s what we’ve been doing for the last nine weeks,” Fracker said. “We got back on Monday, and as soon as we realized that there was a possibility to play the games on campus, we were like, ‘We’re doing this thing.’ Everybody wanted to chip in and help with getting the field ready, and after a few practices, it’s good to go.”
FLC women’s lacrosse head coach Sean Claussen understands what the softball team has gone through.
“We’ve been through what the softball team went through last year when we were on the road for the first seven weeks of the season,” Claussen said. “It really does rejuvenate kids when you finally get to have games and practices on your home field; there’s an energy for that first home game that’s really tough to top because of how long you’ve been on the road for.”
While the lacrosse team hasn’t had to go as many weeks without a home game as the softball team – just three – they still had to play in Aztec. The game March 11 against Rockhurst was the first-ever NCAA-sanctioned lacrosse game in the New Mexico’s history.
The softball program was set to play Colorado Mesa University at Aspen Field earlier this month, but the games were moved to Grand Junction because of the field not being ready for play. Though at the Mavericks’ home field, the Skyhawks were designated the home team. The Black Hills State series two weeks ago was held at Adams State University in Alamosa because of similar circumstances.
Fracker said she is looking forward to playing good competition with a home-field advantage.
“Both Mines and UCCS are really good programs and are well-coached, and we have to play good ball to hang in there with them,” Fracker said. “But I’m just looking for that home-field energy, and it’s been what we’ve been waiting for for a lot of weeks now, and hopefully we can play well enough to get some wins.
“It’s by far been the longest road trip that I’ve ever been on, and I’ve coached in North Dakota. Everybody’s handled it the best we can, and we’ve tried to not talk about it, just pack our stuff, get on the bus and get ready to play wherever we’re going. In the end, this has only made us stronger, and I’m so excited to be at home again.”
Claussen said the conditions at Ray Dennison Memorial Field are good, and his team is ready for Friday’s test.
“When we got out there on Monday, it was like a new season and was great to have grass under our feet for us to diversify our practice,” Claussen said. “The field is in great shape, and we’re ready to go.”
Claussen added that Westminster’s record (1-6, 1-2 RMAC) is deceptive and it will be a good match for FLC.
“They are scrappy and will fight all the way until the final whistle and are a lot like us,” Claussen said. “I know that our defenders will be able to handle their matchups. ... Everybody is really excited to have these games happening here, and the energy for the team is going to be higher than just about any other game all year. There’s nothing like a home-opener.”
bploen@durangoherald.com
