Fort Lewis College’s softball team split its first two games of a four-game series with New Mexico Highlands University. The Skyhawks took Game 1 8-4, then fell 8-2 in Game 2 Saturday at the Aztec Tiger Sports Complex in Aztec.
A five-run second inning propelled the Skyhawks to victory in Game 1. Down 1-0 after Highlands’ Leah Osborn smashed a solo home run in the top of the second, Catie McKenney hit a bases-loaded double that scored three runs. Denae Fisher then doubled to score McKenney.
After Fisher’s double, the junior from Tucson, Arizona, stole third base, which set a new FLC single-season record with 20 stolen bases. The previous record of 19 was set by Chrystal Pesicka in 1998.
Following Fisher’s record-breaking steal, Angelique Elemen singled to bring in Fisher.
FLC added a run in the third with an RBI double from Tristen Gilbert, and Fisher belted solo homers in the fourth and sixth innings.
NMHU had an RBI single from Bayley Lagarreta in the third inning, and a two-RBI double from Desiree Madrid in the seventh.
Mandy Lorenson (6-6) got the win for FLC. She pitched a complete game, gave up five hits, walked two and struck out eight batters. Only two of the four runs allowed were earned, as the Skyhawks committed two errors.
Desiree Bogarin (2-11) took the loss for Highlands, as she gave up 11 hits and all eight runs against were earned. She did not walk any batters and struck out one.
In Game 2, Highlands took a 2-0 lead in the first inning with an RBI double from Madrid, who later scored on an RBI from Camrynn Ziegler.
FLC scored in the bottom of the second with a solo home run from McKenna Hefley, and got a home run from Elemen in the fourth inning.
Highlands blew the game open in the third inning with six runs. Isabella Scarale had an RBI double, then a bases-loaded walk to Lagarreta pushed a run in. Sami Kouns knocked a two-RBI single, then Brooklynn DeLozier doubled to score Kouns. Christian Bobian provided the final run with an RBI single.
Brianna Velasquez (2-7) earned the win for the Mustangs after pitching a complete game. She allowed six hits, walked none and struck out one. Both runs were earned.
Kelly Decker (1-9) took the loss for FLC after she pitched 2 2/3 innings, gave up six hits, three walks and struck out one. Six of the eight runs against her were earned. Kassidy Trumbo pitched 4 1/3 innings in relief and gave up four hits, walked three and struck out three.
Elemen finished the day a combined 4-for-7 with two RBIs, and Fisher went a combined 3-for-7 with 3 RBIs for FLC. FLC was 17-of-58 batting in the two games and left 10 on base.
Madrid paced NMHU with a combined 3-for-8 day with two doubles and two RBIs and Kouns was a combined 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. NMHU went a combined 15-of-58 in the two games and stranded 14 base runners.
The two teams will close out the series with a doubleheader scheduled to start at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Aztec Tiger Sports Complex in Aztec.
kschneider@durangoherald.com
