The Tiger baseball team fell 4-3 in the first game of a doubleheader to Truman, but bounced back to take game two 11-3 to earn a split on Friday in front of 891 at Larks Park. Fort Hays State did not make up any ground in the MIAA standings staying in fifth place, now at 17-17 overall and 15-14 in the MIAA.
Steve Johnson Postgame Interview
fhsu 04-13 coach interview
Game 1: Truman 4, Fort Hays State 3
FHSU and Truman played to a scoreless tie through the first three innings until a Pete Jurich three-run home run for Truman in the top of the fourth. The Bulldogs added another run in the fifth after FHSU committed a fielding error to start the inning that led to the run.
The Tigers had just two hits through the first five innings, but then finally broke through on the scoreboard on a Ryan Busboom three-run home run to pull them within one.
FHSU got a single from Luke Kordsmeier in the seventh with one out, but could not find a way to get him around to extend the game.
Logan Siegler claimed the pitcher’s dual with Shawn Lewick. He allowed just five hits to the Tigers with two strikeouts and no walks in a complete game effort. Lewick also went the distance, allowing six hits and one walk with three strikeouts. Three of his four runs were earned.
Game 2: Fort Hays State 11, Truman 3
Fort Hays State scored five runs through the first three innings to take a 5-0 lead before Truman finally broke through with a run in the fourth.
Busboom triggered the FHSU offense once again with his second three-run home run of the night in the first inning. He now has 13 home runs on the season.
Chris Sontoscoy had a single down the left field line in the second to push the lead to 4-0 and a Busboom sacrifice fly RBI in the third plated another run for FHSU.
After Truman tightened the FHSU advantage to 5-3 in the top of the seventh with a pair of runs, FHSU scored four times in the bottom half of the inning to take a comfortable 9-3 lead. JC Ochoa had an RBI double, then a couple of outfield errors on Tiger singles helped plate two more runs. Brandon Hoefler also picked up a RBI in the inning on a single.
FHSU tacked on two more for good measure in the eighth on a Nash Smith solo home run and another sacrifice fly RBI by Busboom.
Alex Ellison was solid for the Tigers, going 6 innings to improve to 2-4 on the season. He allowed three runs (one earned) with eight hits. He did not walk anyone or strikeout anyone. Tyler Treinen picked up his first save of the season, pitching the final three innings. He allowed just two hits and struck out two.
Bret Gerstner took the loss for Truman, allowing eight earned runs to FHSU. He went 6 2/3 innings before yielding to the Bulldog pen.
Busboom, the reigning MIAA Hitter of the Week, finished with eight RBI for FHSU in the doubleheader.
Game 2 Highlights
fhsu 04-13 highlights
– FHSU Sports Information –