The Skyhawks got a trial run Saturday for their attempt at a standings jump.
The Fort Lewis College softball team split a doubleheader with Western New Mexico at Aspen Field, a warm up before Sundays rematch doubleheader against the Mustangs.
The Skyhawks won the second half of Saturdays doubleheader 5-2 after losing the first half 7-4.
A sweep Sunday would allow the Skyhawks to leapfrog Western N.M. into eighth place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
FLC head coach Kira Zeiter said if her team attacks like they did in Game 2, thats an attainable goal.
I think it was our attack of the game, Zeiter said. Attack at the plate, attack on the base pads, attack in the field. Basically having confidence and going to make the plays or get the extra base or get the hit.
Myndee Thompson exemplified that attack. She went 2-for-3 at bat and gave the Skyhawks a big boost in sixth when she hit a double to set up a steal to third and then a steal home the first run of a two-run inning for the 5-2 margin.
That was just pure hustle, Zeiter said. Hustle for the double, hustle to steal third, hustle to steal home.
Thompson also hit a home run to match teammate Chelsea Rodriguezs homer.
Victoria Johnson helped out from the strip, where she threw all but the final out, giving up eight hits and two runs, one of them earned.
In Game 1, Western N.M. cracked a 1-1 draw open with a four-run fourth inning.
You got to give their team some credit, Zeiter said. They battled and got some hits through the infield. It kind of started a little rally.
Kassie Haubert, who struck out five and gave up 13 hits, took the loss in a complete-game effort.
She didnt really give up hardly any hard hits at all (Saturday), Zeiter said. Western New Mexico found a lot of little holes on the field.
The Skyhawks tried to create a rally of their own down 7-2 in the seventh, scoring twice, but it fell short.
Kaylynn Harmon went 2-for-3 with a run batted in, as the Skyhawks got a smattering of lone hits from the rest of their hitters.
FLC (12-19, 10-16 RMAC) will host Western N.M. at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday at Aspen Field on the FLC campus.
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