Written By: Durango Herald Sports Staff, Dale Strode
March 10, 2010. Durango, CO. - The Skyhawks are more than happy to be home. They'll be even happier when they can play a “home" game.
The Fort Lewis College softball team, a squad that has hopscotched the Western Hemisphere in the early portion of the 2010 schedule, will open its “home" season today - in Farmington.
With Aspen Field on the FLC campus unplayable because of snow, the Skyhawks' scheduled home-opening doubleheader has been moved to Ricketts Field in Farmington. Fort Lewis will take on Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference rival Mesa State at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. today.
The wayfaring Skyhawks returned from their latest road trip - to Kansas - at 2 a.m. Tuesday.
“It could have been worse," Fort Lewis head softball coach Pam Adams said. “The mountain passes were not much fun, but it could have been worse. We were glad to get here."
After a five-game set in Hays, Kan., the Skyhawks will have a short commute to New Mexico for today's games.
“Maybe Farmington won't get as much rain as they're predicting, and we can get in those games," Adams said.
She said the Skyhawks are eager to get back on the field after the swing through Kansas, necessitated by unplayable field conditions in Kearney, Neb., last weekend.
The RMAC games between Fort Lewis and Nebraska-Kearney were relocated to Hays, Kan.
After losing the opening doubleheader, the Skyhawks swept the Lopers on Sunday to move to 3-3 in the RMAC.
Fort Lewis lost a 5-4 nonleague game to Fort Hays on Monday before heading back to Durango.
The Skyhawks, 4-8 overall, are surging offensively after the trip to Kansas and an earlier trip to Las Vegas, where FLC knocked off the then-No. 4 ranked Dixie State team.
“The kids are hitting better and better," Adams said. “The pitchers are working hard, working with each other, helping each other. And our defense is pretty solid."
“We've progressed really well, considering the circumstances," she said. The Skyhawks have had only a handful of outdoor practices this year - all on the road, of course.
“We've several different lineups," Adams said, adding that a variety of batting orders have produced results.
“The kids are making it difficult to decide who should be in there. So, we're trying to get everyone in there, and still develop some consistency," Adams said.
“Moving runners over has really paid off for us. Those unselfish plays have helped. And we're getting two-out hits," Adams said.
In Sunday's doubleheader sweep over Kearney, Jordan Willis was 4-for-4 with three RBIs in the opener.
Stephanie Janes had two hits and an RBI.
And Kayla Bruner drove in two runs.
Chelena Coulston, Brooke Bails, Bruner, Natalie Janes and Willis were the hitting stars of the second-game win over Kearney.
Stephanie Janes pitched a complete-game three-hitter in the second game.
Jayme Fuller, the sophomore from Piedra Vista High School in Farmington, started the opener. Kassie Haubert and Janes also pitched in the first game.
“All three of them pitched in that game. Sometimes, that's how it will be," Adams said.
“They're learning to fight through some things," she said. “They can handle it."
The Skyhawks will take on a Mesa State team coming off four consecutive losses to Metro State last weekend.
The Mavericks, 3-5 overall and 1-5 in the RMAC, split a doubleheader with Fort Lewis earlier this year in Grand Junction. Mesa State won 6-5, and FLC won 3-2.
Fort Lewis is scheduled to host Chadron State in another “home" doubleheader Friday.
dstrode@durangoherald.com