Fort Hays State stranded 14 base runners in the MIAA Baseball Championship Final, losing to No. 5 Central Missouri 7-1. The Tigers pounded out 12 hits but left six runners in scoring position over the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings. FHSU finished its season with a 29-24 overall record.

Steve Johnson Postgame Interveiw
fhsu game 05-13 post interview

Game Highlights
fhsu game 05-13 highlights

Central Missouri pushed its first run across in the bottom of the third on two-out single by MIAA Player of the Year Bret Schwartz.

The Tigers threatened in the fourth, loading the bases with one out but Central Missouri starter Kyle Jackson struck out Jay Sanders and Chris Santoscoy to end the potential rally.

FHSU threatened again in the fifth as Nash Smith led off the inning with a double then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Once again, the Tigers failed to get a runner at third across with one out.

Central Missouri opened up its lead to 4-0 in the fifth with three runs as they finally got to FHSU starter Shawn Lewick who was working on short rest. Lewick lasted 4.2 innings, scattering eight hits and he struck out four. Lewick allowed four runs and took the loss, finishing 7-5 on the season.

Kyle Leroy pitched the remainder of the game for FHSU, going 3.1 innings. He allowed a run in the seventh and two in the eighth. He surrendered seven hits, one walk, and struck out one.

Fort Hays State picked up its only run of the game in the seventh on a Mace Krol fly ball to right field that was just short of leaving the park on the warning track. Sheldon Howell scored from third on the sacrifice fly.

Fort Hays State loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth, but JC Ochoa grounded out to second base to end the game.

Kyle Jackson moved to 7-1 on the season for UCM with the win and Aaron Baker picked up his second save of the season in 3.0 innings of relief.

This was the first MIAA Baseball Tournament Championship Game appearance for FHSU since joining the conference in 2006-07.

– FHSU Sports Information –