FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State baseball fell in the opening game of a four-game series with Northwest Missouri State on Friday evening (Mar. 21) by a score of 18-4. The Bearcats won the game by run rule after seven innings, moving to 13-8 overall and 9-5 in the MIAA. FHSU dropped to 5-15 overall and 4-13 in the MIAA.

Leading just 1-0 after two innings, Northwest Missouri State errupted for 12 runs in the third inning to put the game away. After a sacrifice fly scored the first run of the inning, NWMSU loaded the bases with one out and then Austin Wulff hit a grand slam to push the lead to 6-0 in a flash. A dropped fly ball later in the inning led to the last four runs of the inning being unearned.

Gus Strunk had a sacrifice fly RBI in the third to give FHSU its first run. The Tigers picked up three more runs in the bottom of the seventh, but it was too little too late as the Bearcats won by run rule. In the seventh, Austin Unrein had a two-RBI double and Strunk had another RBI on a fielder’s choice.

Steven Federau took the loss for FHSU, now 1-4. He lasted 2.1 innings and allowed nine runs (eight earned) on seven hits and two walks. Drew Martineau threw 1.0 innings, allowing six runs (one earned) on six hits. Nathan Zimmerman went the final 3.2 innings for FHSU, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with four walks and one strikeout.

Ryker Fox threw a complete game for NWMSU, moving to 4-1 for the season. He allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks and struck out five.

The teams return to Larks Park on Saturday (Mar. 22) for a doubleheader beginning at 1 pm.