By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Emporia State used a pair of two-run home runs in the seventh inning to take a 7-5 lead and beat the Fort Hays State Tigers 8-6 in game one of their four-game series in front of 612 on Pack the Park night at Larks Park. The loss drops FHSU to 7-17 overall and 6-15 in the MIAA. The Hornets win their third straight and are now 17-9 and 13-8 in the MIAA.

The Tigers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second on a solo home run from Horace Johnson and two-out double from Kodie Fewin. Emporia State answered with two in the third to tie the game.

A three-run fourth gave the Tigers a 5-3 lead. Horace Johnson hit a two-run homer following a Clayton Garland double to tie the game, then one pitcher later Kevin Czarnecki hit a home run.

The score would remain that way until Price Jacobs two-run homer tied the game in the seventh. Aaron Gile would hit a two-run shot to give the Hornets the lead for good. Dean Long’s solo shot in the eighth made it 8-5. FHSU would score an unearned run in the bottom of the inning on a Czarnecki groundout.

Tyler Patty pitched 6 1/3 for the Tigers, striking out a season-high nine. Nathan Briar, who gave up two runs in relief takes the loss. Shawn Talkington struck out 11 and picks up the win for the Hornets.

The two teams play a doubleheader beginning at one o’clock on Sunday then wrap up the series with a single game at noon on Sunday.

Steve Johnson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights