Kearney, Neb. – The Fort Lewis softball team beat Nebraska-Kearney, 7-6 and 11-1, Sunday afternoon in a doubleheader in Hays, KS.

Due to weather and field conditions, the series was moved from Kearney to Hays. Fort Lewis improves to 5-7 and 3-3 in the RMAC, while UNK falls to 3-5 and 2-2 in the RMAC.

In game one, UNK's bats started out hot, scoring three runs in the first inning to erase a 2-0 deficit.

A double to right center from senior SS Kelsey Smith (2 for 3) scored senior CF Alissa Larsen from second and then sophomore DP Jessie Thomas hit a double to left field that scored junior 3b Cassie Keck (3 for 4). Finally, Thomas scored after two wild pitches from Jayme Fuller.

Fort Lewis, however, rallied and scored four unanswered runs to take the lead at 6-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth. In the UNK fifth, the Lopers did score two runs off the bats of Keck and senior 1b Laura Gormley, making the score 6-5.

The Skyhawks added an insurance run in their half of the sixth on a sacrifice fly to right field off the bat of catcher Kayla Bruner. In the bottom of the inning, UNK rallied again, scoring one run from a Keck double to right center, which plated Taylor Fernau from second base.

FLC managed to keep it a one run game as the Lopers left runners at second and third. Fuller got the win with Stephanie Janes striking out the side in the seventh to record the save. Also, 3b Jamie Willis finished 4 for 4 with three RBI's and two runs scored.

In game two, the Lopers bats could only get three hits off Jane. She earned her first win of the year by allowing just three hits while fanning four in five innings of work.

Offensively, Fort Lewis had 12 hits with SS Brooke Bails going 3 for 4 with four RBI's and two runs.

Also in the loss, Larsen's streak of stealing bases ended at 57 in a row, a steak that dates back to April 2007 against Adams State. After reaching on a bunt single in the first, she was thrown out at second by Bruner.

Up Next:
Nebraska-Kearney plays Fort Hays State in a single game tomorrow afternoon at noon, weather permitting. The contest was added to the schedule this weekend