St. George, Utah (Feb. 7) – The Central Washington University softball team split day two at the Dixie State Courtyard Classic, knocking off Fort Lewis College 8-5 before being downed by No. 21 Colorado Mesa 6-0 on Friday. 
 
Early offense has been the theme for the Wildcats (4-2) this season, and that was no different against the Skyhawks (3-3). With one away in the first, Katie Kastning singled through the left side. Theresa Moyle drew a walk, putting runners on first and second for cleanup hitter Maddy Zerr. Zerr cranked a three-run home run over the left field fence, giving the Wildcats a 3-0 before the Skyhawks had a chance to hit. 
 
"Whenever we can put a crooked number on the board, that's a good thing," CWU head coach Mike Larabee said. "Maddy is a good high ball hitter and was able to get a hold of a high fastball and really drive it." 
 
The Skyhawks took the lead in the top of the fourth after plating four runs. The Wildcats would answer in the bottom of the fourth. Bethany Balucan drew a walk, then stole second base. Rachael Johnson worked a walk. Savannah Egbert ripped a ball through the middle of the diamond, scoring Balucan to tie the game at 4. Kastning drew a walk, loading the bases for one of the Wildcats hottest hitters in Moyle. Moyle singled up the middle, scoring Egbert and Johnson. The two-run single gave the Wildcats a 6-4 lead. The entire rally happed with two outs in the inning. 
 
"Theresa is hitting everything hard right now," Larabee said. "She's swinging the bat better than anyone on the team right now. Even her outs are hit hard." 
 
The pitching duties were handled by Isabel Womack and Samantha Stanfield. Womack was excellent in her first three innings, striking out two batters while allowing just one hit. After a troubling fourth inning, Stanfield came on in relief, pitching four innings while earning the win.
 
Lexie Strasser had her toughest test in the circle when the Wildcats took on the No. 21 Mavericks (2-0) in game two. Through three innings, Strasser had only given up one hit. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, that hit was a two-run homer off the bat of Kaila Jacobi. In the fourth inning, Brooke Doumer hit another two-run home run, putting the Mavericks up 4-0 after four innings. 
 
The Wildcat offense struggled in the day's second game. Egbert, Kastning and Julia Rueble were the only players to get a hit in the game. Moyle worked a walk, rounding out base runners for the Wildcats. 
 
"Mesa is a good team," Larabee said. "We had an opportunity to prevent both of their home runs, by making better plays defensively. Against good teams, you can't afford to have those type of mistakes. Their pitcher was phenomenal. She's the best pitcher we've seen so far this uear. She was a spot master."
 
The finale of the Dixie State Courtyard Classic takes place tomorrow. The Wildcats play Cal State East Bay at 10 a.m. MT. 
 
"Tomorrow we need a well-pitched game, some solid defense and some timely hits," Larabee said. "We'd love to finish this road trip 6-2."