The Colorado Christian Cougars experienced an emotional day of softball on Saturday morning starting with the Skyhawks pummeling them in the first game, but then ending the series on a high note beating up on Fort Lewis in the second. The first game ended on run rule 13-5 in FLC's favor, and the second was a win for CCU 14-8.
 
The Cougars had a great start to the day being up 5-0 in the top of the 4^th. The first run was scored by Letty Valenzuela off a sacrifice fly by Amy Edison in the top of the 2nd. Rylee Halenar and Stephanie Tatham both scored next from a Hanna Farmer (2 RBI's) single down the right field line. The last two runs scored were in the top of the third by Charlotte Romero and Kristina Billante from Carly Perry's double hit giving her 2 RBI's.
 
The Cougs were doing so well getting on base and putting themselves in position to score, but defensively they crumbled having two crucial throwing errors in the 4^th and 5^th frames allowing four unearned runs. The Skyhawks had no runs on the scoreboard half-way through the game and it looked promising, until FLC scored four runs in the 4^th, seven runs in the 5^th, and two more ending the game in the bottom of the 6^th frame.
 
Tana Feiner (4-8) took the loss playing four innings, giving up 12 hits, nine runs, five earned runs, and striking out one.
 
Christian had one more chance to prevent the blowout weekend, and they ended up being successful with a hot third inning, putting them on top.
 
The Skyhawks scored first with three runs in the bottom of the 1^st inning. CCU came back with a run in the top of the second, followed by another run from Fort Lewis in the bottom. Colo. Christian stopped FLC from scoring anymore and moved into the third inning. FLC pitcher Rachel Foos did her best, but got lit up by the Lady Cougar's offense. CCU Freshman Carly Perry took the first pitch and slammed it over the left field fence getting three RBI and running in Charlotte Romero and Hanna Farmer. Valenzuela came up to the plate and dropped a double to right center followed by designated player, Mattison Johnson who was now ready to bat. Johnson takes one ball and one strike and then homers one to center field putting Valenzuela over home plate. Blue and gold led Fort Lewis 6-4 with one out at this point in the game.
 
The Skyhawks made a pitching change after the two CCU home runs bringing in Olivia Goldberg. Goldberg got one out on a pop up by Stephanie Tatham, but then let Gabrielle Rinker have the third home run of the game making it 7-4. The Cougs kept going too, with only two outs. Two more consecutive singles from Rylee Halenar and Hanna Farmer got them on base, and then a double from Charlotte Romero put them across home plate. The Colorado Christian clinic that was happening in the third inning ended 9-4 with eight runs, eight hits, and one left on base.
 
Defensively the Cougs needed to be strong and clean. Jennie Winston started the second game for blue and gold at the mound, but was pulled after FLC put four on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second. Tana Feiner ended the series and took the fifth win of the season. Feiner did a great job not letting the Skyhawks back into the game.
 
Fort Lewis would score four more runs in the game (two in the 3^rd, one in the 4^th and 6^th). The Cougars would score five more runs in the top of the 5^th inning making the final score 14-8. Everyone in blue and gold did their job in game two. Consistent hitting and getting on base was what propelled Christian to the win.
 
Mattison Johnson led the Cougars offensively in game two with two home runs, one double, and hit 3-5 with two runs and five RBI's. Carly Perry had a home run, hitting 3-4 with two runs and four RBI's, and defensively led the team with eight putouts. Gabrielle Rinker hit one over the fence going 2-4 with one run and one RBI. Rylee Halenar hit 2-4 with two runs, and third baseman Letty Valenzuela went 1-4 with two runs and one RBI. Charlotte Romero had the most at bats with six, hitting three balls and having two runs and two RBI's. Freshman Hanna Farmer went 2-3 with the team high of three runs for CCU.
 
Christian was finally able to show off what damage they can do at the plate having 18 total hits, four double hits, and four home runs in one game. The Lady Cougs will continue this kind of aggressive behavior next weekend at Lakewood Park. CCU will be playing Adams State on March 12^th, with the first pitch at 12:00 PM.