Sw Colorado News

DENVER, Colo. – After allowing Regis University to walk off game one by a score of 5-4, Izzy Giroux provided a much-needed bat in game two to lead the Fort Lewis College softball team to a 6-5 decision and force a day one split in its four-game Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference series on a brisk Saturday afternoon.

Fort Lewis now finds itself 9-16 overall and 7-11 in RMAC play. Regis moves up to 15-13 overall and 12-6 in conference play.

Giroux and Alex Tenorio provided the only three-hit afternoons for the Skyhawks, and Giroux and Catheryn Rodman each tallied two runs batted in between the two games. Rachel Williams led all offensive efforts on the day with four total hits to complement one run, one RBI, and three walks.

GAME ONE – REGIS 5, FORT LEWIS 4

After striking out the side to open the game, Regis was able to strike first in the bottom of the first inning. The Rangers utilized back-to-back hits and a double that was barreled up to center field to push across a single run. The Rangers sat down the Skyhawks in order for the second-straight inning, but unable to plate a run of its own the game went into the third inning with a 1-0 favor to Regis.

In the top of the third, Cara Daugherty got the action going with a one-out single and an error by the Rangers near the fence in center field allowed Sloan Shotton to reach base and Daugherty to tie the game. Kayla Stone singled the following at-bat to drive in Shotton, and Rodman singled just two at-bats later to push across Stone for the third run of the inning and give FLC the 3-1 advantage.

Fort Lewis was able to hold Regis to just a single base runner across the third and fourth frames, but the Rangers finally found its chance in the bottom of the fifth. Following a leadoff fly ball, the Rangers strung together a pair of walks and three singles to plate three runs and recapture the lead, 4-3.

Stone doubled to lead off the seventh inning, coming around to score on an infield ground out after Tenorio moved her to second with a single, and a passed ball put her on third. While the run was able to force a 4-4 tie and put pressure on Regis, a bases-loaded error by Fort Lewis allowed the Rangers to walk off the game 5-4.

Amiee Shanks (6-5) threw her sixth complete game of the season while taking the loss and allowing four earned runs on four walks, 10 hits, and four strikeouts. Regis' Abby Covington (2-2) earned the win after throwing two innings of relief and allowing the lone earned run on three hits and two walks. Kylie Harpman (5-4) started in the circle for the Rangers and struck out 12 Skyhawks across 5.0 innings of work.

GAME TWO – FORT LEWIS 6, REGIS 5

The Skyhawks found themselves in a similar position in game two, going six up and six down through the first two innings. Regis scored the opening run once more, plating a single run in the bottom of the second inning thanks to a pair of singles with a wild pitch in between. 

The offense exploded in favor of Fort Lewis in the third as Giroux opened the inning with a lead-off double. After back-to-back outs, Alyssa Gutierrez kept the inning alive with a single back up the middle. An error by the Rangers the next play allowed Giroux to score, and a single from Rodman the next at-bat pushed across the third run of the inning to put FLC in front 3-1.

Misfortune struck in the bottom of the fourth inning, however, after a bases-loaded single for the Rangers was accompanied by a Skyhawks error allowing Regis to score three runs and tie the game 4-4. Miia Campos singled the following at-bat for Regis, and the Rangers were back in front 5-4.

Tenorio kicked off the fifth inning with a single, and Sabrina Carrillo drew a walk of her own to put two Skyhawks on base. After Hannah Rutherford came in to pinch run for Carrillo and stole second base, Giroux stepped the plate and singled to left field to drive in the would-be game-winning runs. Caydee Farnworth (2-7) earned the win after throwing 3.1 innings of two-hit relief. Regis' Katherine Raper (3-2) was credited for the loss.

BACK AT IT

The Skyhawks and Rangers will continue the series tomorrow morning with another doubleheader scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m. at the Regis Softball Field.

Original source can be found here.