The last team into the tournament as the No. 8 seed, Fort Lewis College is the only team left in the tournament without a loss.
The Fort Lewis College Skyhawks’ softball team won two games Friday to advance directly into the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament championship round. The eighth-seeded team in the eight-team field, FLC upset No. 4 Metro State 5-0 on Friday morning before rallying past No. 6 UC-Colorado Springs 11-10 in the winner’s bracket semifinal to reach the championship round for the second time in the last three years after winning the RMAC Tournament in 2012.
“We’re feeling great, and I’m really proud of how we battled back to beat UCCS,” FLC head coach Kira Zeiter said. “They are very strong competitors, and it was a great battle all game long. To come through with a win, it’s awesome.”
Victoria Johnson (11-11) was the winning pitcher in both games for FLC (26-27). She was magnificent against Metro State (28-15), pitching a shutout while allowing only five hits and three walks while striking out three.
Against the UC-Colorado Springs Mountain Lions (27-18), Johnson came on in relief after three other FLC pitchers experienced struggles in the circle. She totaled three innings of work and allowed three hits while walking one and striking out four.
It was the third win in two days for Johnson, who helped pitch the Skyhawks past No. 1 Colorado Mesa on Thursday.
“That win against Mesa was a big, huge confidence booster for me. We showed then, and we showed it again, that we deserve to be in this tournament,” Johnson said. “The team fought so hard to get us leads, and it just motivates me that much more to work harder.”
Trailing 10-7 going to the sixth inning in the semifinal, Myndee Thompson hit a two-run single to score Missy Fundora and Chelsea Rodriguez to bring the Skyhawks within one run of the Mountain Lions.
A single by Hayley Bolyard brought Thompson around to score, tying the game 10-10.
Johnson worked out of trouble in the bottom of the sixth, and the Skyhawks rewarded with her with the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh inning.
Fundora hit a one-out triple and came around to score on a double by Adriana Rosthenhausler, who was 3-for-5 with two doubles, one run batted in and two runs scored.
“I just went up there wanting to do what I could to help the team win the game. We needed some runs before the bottom of the seventh,” said Fundora, who was 2-for-4 with a double, triple, two RBIs and three runs scored. “I was glad with the result of the triple, and it was great having (Rosthenhausler) right there to back me up and score me.
“Scoring that run, there were so many emotions going through me. The entire team felt it.”
Mariah Stuart was 2-for-3 at the plate with one run and one RBI. Jeovanna Rios was 1-for-2 with three RBIs, thanks to some sacrifice flies.
“Our clutch hitting has been phenomenal top to bottom,” Zeiter said. “Having that clutch play excites the whole team and helps you come away with victories.”
Kiley Raica started the game against UC-Colorado Springs for the Skyhawks. She lasted 2 2/3 innings while allowing three runs – one earned – on five hits and two walks. Olivia Goldberg and Katie Watkins each pitched 2/3 of an inning in relief before Johnson entered the game.
FLC committed four errors but still found a way to win. It was the first four errors in three games in the tournament so far for the Skyhawks.
“The team shrugged those errors off nicely and continued to play good softball after them,” Zeiter said.
Johnson’s performance against Metro State carried the Skyhawks into the winner’s bracket final.
“(Johnson) was absolutely fantastic. She is keeping good teams off balance,” Zeiter said.
Kamali’i Peneku hit a three-run triple in the top of the first inning to put the Skyhawks in front of the Roadrunners. Fundora, Rios and Rodriguez all scored on the triple.
Kaitlyn Bending led off the top of the fifth inning with a single and went on to score on a Rosthenhausler single. Thompson added a sacrifice fly later in the inning to give FLC its fifth run.
Rosthenhausler was 2-for-3, and Rodriguez was 2-for-4 in the victory.
The Skyhawks will have two chances to win one game and the RMAC Tournament championship Saturday. UC-Colorado Springs dropped to the loser’s bracket and will face Metro State at noon. The Roadrunners beat Adams State 13-5 in five innings late Friday night.
The championship round is scheduled to begin at 2:15 p.m., with another game at 4:30 p.m. in Grand Junction if necessary.
The Skyhawks aim to finish it in one game and go 4-0 to sweep through the tournament and win the title as the No. 8 seed.
“We’ve all known we had the capability to win this tournament. To come in as an eight-seed and the underdogs and shock everybody, it’s been fun, but we have to finish it,” Fundora said. “We are going to keep hitting and play good defense and stay positive. We want to take the momentum from the last couple of days and bring it right to the beginning of the game.”
Zeiter wouldn’t commit to a starting pitcher for Saturday’s first game just yet, but Johnson said she would be ready to get the ball if called upon.
“This is a team sport, and I will be behind anybody who has the ball,” Johnson said. “All of us are going to go out there and do whatever we can. We won’t take any situation lightly.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
