The Fort Hays State softball team struggled to get in a groove offensively against No. 21 Missouri Western on Friday evening (March 30) in St. Joseph, Mo. The Tigers got just three hits and scored one run in the doubleheader, falling in the first game 3-1 and 8-0 in the nightcap. This marks the first series sweep this season against the Tigers, who fall to 20-10 (7-3 MIAA) on the year.
Game 1: No. 21 Missouri Western 3, Fort Hays State 1
The first game of the twin bill featured a pitching duel between the MIAA’s top two pitchers in wins and strikeouts. Maddie Holub was in the circle for the Tigers and did not give up a hit for the first five innings of the game. A leadoff walk in the sixth jump started the Griffons’ offense, which then got going and scored all three runs in the inning.
Callie Wright led off the fourth inning with a triple for FHSU and then scored on an error by Missouri Western. That would be the only hit in the game for the Tigers, who ended up stranding two runners in the inning.
Jackie Bishop was dominant from the circle for the Griffons, allowing just the one hit and one unearned run while striking out 12 FHSU batters. Holub also pitched well, but got the loss to fall to 11-6 on the year. She did reached a milestone in the game, notching her 500th strikeout in a Tiger uniform in the bottom of the second inning. Holub now has 504 strikeouts in her career, becoming the second player in FHSU history to record 500 strikeouts.
Game 2: No. 21 Missouri Western 8, Fort Hays State 0 (6 innings)
The Tigers were unable to regroup and get back on track in the second game. Taylor Nelson led off the game with a bunt single, but she was retired on the next play as Wright popped into a double play on the next at bat. The next five FHSU batters were retired before Madison Putman got the Tigers only other hit of the game in the top of the third inning.
Missouri Western jumped on top in the bottom of the first, scoring four runs off of FHSU starter Abby Morrison, who left the game without recording an out. Kaitlyn Shattleroe relieved Morrison and allowed another run in the opening inning to put the Tigers in a 5-0 hole after one inning.
Shattleroe pitched well through the middle of the game, not allowing a run for the next three innings before giving up one in the fifth and two in the sixth, which ended the game as an 8-0 run-rule victory. Morrison picked up the loss, dropping her record to 2-3 on the year.
Fort Hays State has a quick turnaround before facing another ranked team on Saturday (March 31). The Tigers will take on No. 25 Emporia State in a 1:00 pm doubleheader in Emporia, Kan.
– FHSU Sports Information –