HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team fell to Northwest Missouri State in the first game of a three-game slate this weekend on Friday (Mar. 2), 13-1 in seven innings. The Tigers dipped to 8-7 overall and 0-4 in MIAA play whereas the Bearcats improved to 7-6 on the season and 4-0 in conference play.

The Tigers fell victim to 13 strikeouts on the afternoon, with Joseph Hietpas going the distance for the Bearcats. FHSU was only able to plate one run in the game, an RBI double from Dayton Pomeroy that scored Alex Weiss in the home half of the first inning. The Tigers collected seven hits across seven innings, but were shut down the rest of the contest.

Pomeroy finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate with one RBI. Addison Kaasch, Alex Weiss, Jordan Wilkerson, Marcus Altman and Jason Nicholson combined for the remaining five hits in the ballgame.

Hietpas earned the victory for Northwest Missouri State, improving to 3-1 on the season. Ben Ramberg suffered the loss after surrendering five runs, all in the second frame. Ramberg fell to 2-2 on the year. Kruse came on in relief, but allowed three Bearcats to cross home plate in one inning of work. In all, the Tiger bullpen was consumed in using four more pitchers in the game.

The Tigers and Bearcats will get set for the second game of the series on Saturday (Mar. 3) inside Larks Park.