The Fort Hays State baseball team rallied from an early 4-1 deficit to beat Nebraska-Kearney 5-4 in game one of their MIAA doubleheader Wednesday afternoon at Larks Park in Hays. The Lopers turned the tables on the Tigers erasing a 4-0 first inning deficit for a 10-5 win in game two. The split leaves Fort Hays State at 16-14 overall and 12-13 in the MIAA. The Lopers are also 16-14 but 16-12 in conference play.
Game 1: Fort Hays State 5, Nebraska-Kearney 4
Clayton Garland’s single to right field scored Sam Thornton with the game winning run as the Tigers erase an early 4-1 deficit. Ryan Busboom led off the sixth inning with a double stole second then scored on a throwing error to tie the game.
Both teams scored a run in the first inning, but the Lopers answered with three in the top of the second for a 4-1 lead.
Kyle Leroy picked up the win in relief, getting the final out in the seventh to move to 2-1. Starter Jesse Hart gave up four runs on six hits, walking six and striking out four over 6 2/3 innings.
Game 2: Nebraska-Kearney 10, Fort Hays State 5
Fort Hays State struck for four runs in the first but the Lopers come back with three in the third and two in the fourth to take the lead. They would add two more in the eighth and one in the ninth. Clayton Garland’s solo home run to lead off the sixth was the Tigers only run after the first inning.
Loper starter Alejandro Sosa shook off the rough early start to pick up the win. He retired 10 straight and 16 of 17 batters from the third through eighth innings.
Shane Wade had a two-run double, Ryan Busboom a RBI single and Clayton Garland an RBI sac fly in the first for the Tigers.
Starter Michael Edlefson retired the first six to start the game but takes the loss, giving up five runs on five hits over 3 1/3 innings.