The Fort Lewis College softball team fell to 0-6 to open the season with a narrow loss Thursday to open the Dixie State Tournament in St. George, Utah.
The Skyhawks fell 4-3 to California Baptist (3-1). FLC got the winning run on base in the top of the seventh inning, but power-hitting junior Angelique Elemen fouled out to right field to end the game with runners on first and third.
FLC scored in the top of the first when Elemen blasted a solo home run to right center field. But Cal Baptist answered to tie the game after one inning, as Hannah Thieroff doubled down the left-field line on a 3-0 pitch from FLC pitcher Kendra Keahbone (0-2) to drive in a run. California Baptist made it a two-run game in the bottom of the second inning when Anise Avalos hit a two-run homer to center field.
The Skyhawks rallied to tie the game at 3-3 in the third inning. Brittany Bigge drove in McKenna Hefley on a fielder’s choice, and another fielder’s choice off the bat of Cassie Sloan in the inning allowed Madelynne Blood-Smyth to score.
The winning run for California Baptist scored in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Diana Gomez singled through the left side to score Ali Subia and keep the bases loaded. FLC got out of the bases-loaded jam with only one out by getting a ground-ball to second base and cutting down a runner at the plate, followed by a Halle Rosario pop out.
California Baptist tallied 10 hits off Keahbone, who struck out one and walked three while all four runs allowed were earned. She threw 102 pitches.
California Baptist pitcher Kellye Springstead (1-0) threw 62 pitches in four innings of relief and allowed one hit and one walk while she struck out four in a winning effort. Iveth Alvarado pitched the first three innings and allowed three hits and three runs. She walked two and struck out five.
The Skyhawks were clean in the field with no errors in the game.
FLC will try for its first win at 12:30 p.m. Friday against Dominican, followed by a 5:30 p.m. game against Hawaii-Hilo.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
