Things flew the Eagles’ way Friday in Chadron, Neb.
In a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference doubleheader that was bumped up a day with the threat of weather later in the weekend, the Fort Lewis College softball team’s offense still was waiting for Saturday’s original start time.
FLC totaled three hits against Chadron State and lost both games of the doubleheader 8-0 and 6-0.
“From my perspective, I think they’re the kind of pitchers that, as a batter, can cause some challenges,” FLC head coach Kira Zeiter said. “They wil work all four zones of the plate and will work you as a batter. As a batter, you never quite know what to expect, and it makes you uncomfortable.”
FLC (22-28, 18-20 RMAC) was limited to one hit in Game 1.
Leadoff hitter Missy Fundora delivered a single in the first at-bat of the game, but Chadron State’s Kylee Polsley didn’t allow another hit the rest of the way.
Polsley struck out seven and issued two walks, one to Fundora.
Trailing 3-0 going into the bottom of the fifth, FLC starting pitcher Victoria Johnson loaded the bases with no outs before being relieved by Olivia Goldberg. Goldberg got one quick out,but then walked home a run before giving up a grand slam by Courtney Lechler, who now has six homers this season.
Lechler’s slam served as a walk-off, as the game came to an end because of the 8-run mercy rule.
Johnson took the loss. In four innings, she gave up six runs – three earned – on five hits and six walks. She struck out five.
Jeovanna Rios and Myndee Thompson had the Skyhawks’ only two hits in Game 2.
And the Eagles kept swinging.
Jessica Eatmon hit Chadron State’s second grand slam of the day in the bottom of the third inning after two walks and a double by the Eagles loaded the bases.
“Whenever you have a nice, clutch hit like that with the bases loaded, it does move the momentum,” Zeiter said. “It wasn’t anything in Game 2 that we didn’t feel like we could come back from, but it does help the other team feel really good when you put up a four-spot with one swing of the bat.”
They manufactured two more in the bottom of the fifth on RBI singles by Katie Londo and Casey Polk.
Kiley Raica pitched Game 2 for FLC, giving up six earned runs and walking four.
FLC will end its regular season with another RMAC doubleheader at second-place Chadron State (28-20, 24-10) at 11 a.m. Saturday in Chadron, Neb.
“That’s what we need to do (Saturday) to get the momentum in our dugout,” Zeiter said. “Then we can have that good feeling.”
The Eagles’ sweep Friday set the program record for wins in a single season.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
