February 12, 2010.  Las Vegas, NV. -  The Fort Lewis College Softball team will be opening their 2010 season today in the three-day Desert Stinger Classic in Las Vegas, NV, which is being hosted by Montana State-Billings. 

The Skyhawks are coming off of an 18-22 overall record and 7th place finish in the RMAC. The Skyhawks lost 4 starters from last year's squad but will be returning six very experienced starters. Lone senior Amanda Willmon will be playing infield and outfield this season. Willmon was fourth on the team in runs last year with 18. Also returning for the FLC is sophomore Ashley Hibbs who batted .404 in 2009. Other sophomores returning are Chelena Coulston, Natalie Janes, Jordan Willis, Stephanie Janes and Denae Benally#. Natalie Janes knocked out a team high eight home runs last season. Coulston led the team in stolen bases with 22. Willis will be playing shortstop for the Hawks while Benally will be behind the plate at catcher. Stephanie Janes will look to step in as one of the starting pitchers this season for the Hawks. Also returning for the Hawks' is 1st basemen Joanna Young and SS/3B Brooke Bails.

The Skyhawks have also added five new players to their roster for 2010 season. Heather Johnson, a junior college transfer from Mesa Community College will get her reps in the outfield. Another junior college transfer is Kayla Bruner from Lamar CC who plays catcher. Jayme Fuller, a sophomore from Farmington, NM will assist Janes on the mound. Freshman Erica Conley from Phoenix, AZ and Megan Stripling from Springfield, OR. round up the roster for the Skyhawks. Conley will play in the outfield while Stripling will play 1B and pitcher.

Fort Lewis hopes to make another RMAC Championship run after the underdog Skyhakws surprised many, winning the RMAC Tournament in 2008 against Adams State. Pam Adams commented, "I feel very confident that we have the athletes and confidence this year to make another run at an RMAC Championship and hopefully into the NCAA Tournament." 

Fort Lewis will be taking on Hawaii-Hilo today at 12pm and St. Mary's at 2pm. On Saturday, the Skyhawks will face-off against University of Mary at 12pm and Dixie State at 2pm. FLC will finish off the tournament on Sunday against St. Edwards at 2pm. The only game that will have live stats will be the game vs. St. Edwards. Click on the following link for those live stats. 

St. Edwards Live Stats

For more information on the 2010 Skyhawks Softball team, click on the following link.

2010 FLC Softball