A deflating loss in Game 1 led the Fort Lewis College softball team to be swept Saturday in Grand Junction.
Trailing 10-9 going to the seventh inning of the first game of a doubleheader, the FLC Skyhawks came through with a game-tying run when a Missy Fundora double scored Denae Fisher.
But the Colorado Mesa Mavericks wouldn’t let the game get to extra innings, as pitcher Brooke Hodgson gave herself a win in the circle by doubling home Makayla Kovac to give the Mavericks an 11-10 walkoff win.
Colorado Mesa (27-16, 23-6 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) carried momentum over into Game 2, picking up an 8-0 win against the Skyhawks (13-24, 11-15 RMAC).
FLC hit three home runs in the first game, all coming in the first two innings. A Tristen Gilbert three-run homer in the first inning scored Myndee Thompson and Adriana Rosthenhausler.
Mandy Owens made it back-to-back homers for FLC on the very next pitch, giving FLC an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first.
The Skyhawks added to their lead in the second, as a Fundora single scored Fisher before Jeovanna Rios belted a homer, her seventh of the season, to score Fundora and Thompson.
“We really hit the ball well and with authority,” FLC head coach Kira Zeiter said.
Rios’ blast made it 8-0 FLC, but the rest of the day belonged to the Mavericks outside of two more Fundora runs batted in.
Kovac and Rachel Boothe both homered in the fourth inning, and a Madelyn Schulz double tied the game at 9 in the fourth inning.
Victoria Johnson started the game in the circle for FLC but lasted only 3 2/3 innings. She have up seven hits and nine runs – four earned – while walking three, hitting one batter with a pitching and striking out three. She earned a no decision.
Relief pitcher Olivia Goldberg (1-2) took the loss. She pitched three innings and allowed four hits. Both runs that scored on her watch were earned. She walked two and hit one.
Hodgson (18-7) was credited with the win for the Mavericks. She pitched 3 1/3 innings and allowed nine hits and nine earned runs while walking two and striking out four. Joslynn Lopez could be credited for holding the Skyhawks down. In 3 2/3 innings, she allowed nine hits but only one run. She struck out two and didn’t issue a free pass.
Zeiter said the strike zone was tight for both teams all night, making it easier for hitters to lock in on pitches over the plate.
“That’s why there was so much offense. The pitchers battled, but hitters took advantage because the pitchers couldn’t pick away at the corners,” Zeiter said.
Game 2 was all Mavericks, as two runs in the bottom of the sixth gave Colorado Mesa an 8-0 run-rule victory.
It was Hodgson walking the Mavericks off once more, as she belted a two-run homer to center field that scored Kovac.
FLC had only two hits in the game, two singles by Kaitlyn Bending and Owens.
Rochelle Talamantes (6-6) recorded the win in the circle for Colorado Mesa. Along with the two hits, she walked two and struck out one.
“She had a good changeup,” Zeiter said of Talamantes.
Zoe Pakes, a National Freshman of the Year watch list selection, added another three-run homer for the Mavericks in the game.
Kiley Raica (5-10) pitched 1 1/3 innings for FLC and allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks. She gave up both homers.
Goldberg pitched four innings and allowed two runs on four hits while walking two and striking out one.
FLC will stay in Grand Junction to play two more Sunday. FLC has lost 12 of its last 14 games.
“Every game from here on out is very important. We can’t let any opportunities pass us by,” Zeiter said.
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