DURANGO, Colo. – Sydney Lowery came through with a two-out, two-run single to take the lead and Chadron State softball followed another hard-fought loss with a long-awaited win as the Eagles concluded a four-game series against Fort Lewis. 

The pitcher's duel theme established on Saturday continued Sunday as the Skyhawks (11-35, 10-26 RMAC) won game three 3-1 before the Eagles (5-40, 5-31 RMAC) sealed a 2-1 victory in the series finale. The two teams combined to score just 12 runs in the four-game series. 

Sophomore Belle Akins put on a masterclass in limiting damage and escaping jams. Akins allowed nine hits, including four doubles, but allowed just one run across seven innings pitched. Akins stranded two runners on base in two of the first three innings, but got better as the game went along, retiring eight of the last nine hitters she faced to earn her third win of the season. 

Despite being on the wrong side of the decision in the first game, Brynn Trujillo had one of her stronger outings of the season as the true freshman racked up a career-high eight strikeouts. Trujillo allowed three runs (only one earned) on seven hits across her six innings pitched. 

Both Akins and Trujillo threw a combined 13 innings on Sunday without walking a single batter. For Akins, it was her longest outing of the season with no walks, marking the first time in her 12 complete games she was walk-free. For Trujillo, it marked just the second time all season that the Commerce City, Colorado native didn't issue a free pass, joining a 2.2-inning appearance on February 21 against CSU Pueblo. 

While Lowery connected with the big hit in game two, Tiffani Mein continued her strong offensive series, homering for CSC's only run in game one and collecting two more hits in Chadron State's victory. Mein finished the weekend 6-for-8 against Fort Lewis. 

Brianna Cordray also swung the bat well with a four-hit day that saw her get on base five times. The freshman third baseman went 3-for-3 in game one, then 1-for-2 with a walk in game two, scoring one of CSC's two runs. 

Chadron State got on the board first in game one, with Mein homering to left center to lead off the second inning. The blast marked Mein's third home run and 11^th RBI of the season. 

Fort Lewis answered, however, scoring single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings. The first two runs scored off Trujillo were unearned as each of CSC's two errors in the game contributed directly to scoring opportunities for the home team. Although Cordray singled leading off the bottom of the seventh to put the tying run on base, Izzy Thomas lined into a double play to end the game two batters later, a frustrating end to a well-worked eight-pitch at-bat from Thomas that featured six foul balls. 

The roles reversed in game two, with Fort Lewis taking an early lead before CSC came from behind. The Skyhawks' only breakthrough against Akins came in the third, when a leadoff double got moved over to third by a bunt and scored on a one-out single. 

The Eagles answered in the next half-inning. Elizabeth Thorngren singled leading off the frame, but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Undettered, Mein and Brogan Allen each singled to the left side before Cordray drew a four-pitch walk to load the bases. 

Izzy Thomas swung at the first pitch and grounded to short. The Skyhawks went home, getting pinch-runner Elia DeLozier out at the plate, while the other Eagles moved up 60 feet to bring Lowery to the plate. 

The freshman also swung at the first pitch and lined one the other way for a base hit, scoring Allen and Cordray to give CSC the lead. That hit alone sealed the first game with multiple RBI in Lowery's collegiate career. 

The offensive breakthrough seemed to energize the Eagles. The Skyhawks seemed to be threatening with a leadoff double followed by a base hit in the fifth, but Elizabeth Thorngren alertly back-picked the lead runner at third base from left field when the runner took too far of a turn. 

Akins would only allow one baserunner from that moment, getting two quick outs to escape the fifth and setting down the Skyhawks in order in the sixth. Despite a leadoff single in the seventh, Akins struck out the next batter and induced two quick flyouts to end the game. 

After snapping their 18-game losing streak, Chadron State will host Colorado Mesa (21-23, 20-16 RMAC). The Mavericks are tied for fourth and were just swept by Colorado Christian.