FHSU Sports Information
Tyler Patty and Steven Federay turned in strong pitching performances to help Fort Hays State to a doubleheader sweep of Lindenwood on Friday afternoon at Larks Park in Hays. Fort Hays State won game one 7-3, with a near complete-game effort from Patty, and then won game two 6-1. FHSU moved to 16-24 overall and 13-21 in the MIAA, while Lindenwood moved to 15-26 overall and 12-18 in the MIAA.
Steve Johnson Postgame Interview
Game Highlights
Game 1: Fort Hays State 7, Lindenwood 3
Fort Hays State built a 5-0 lead through three innings and never looked back in a 7-3 win in game one. Tyler Patty was just one out short of a complete-game effort in the seven-inning contest. After surrendering two runs in the seventh, Gabe Cook relieved Patty to get the final out of the game with one runner on. Patty allowed three runs on eight hits and three walks, while striking out three, moving to 2-5 overall on the year with the win.
Horace Johnson got the scoring triggered for the Tigers in the first with a two-RBI double. Cooper Langley followed with a RBI single later in the inning. Gus Strunk tacked on a RBI single in the second and Kevin Czarnecki knocked in a run with a sacrifice bunt in the third.
After allowing a bases-loaded walk in the top of the sixth, Patty beared down to get a ground ball out from the next batter to keep the Tigers on top 5-1 heading to the bottom half. The Tigers added two insurance runs in the sixth on an Austin Unrein RBI single, with the second run scoring on an error on the play.
Clayton Garland, Kodie Fewin, Strunk and Johnson went 2-for-3 at the plate in the game.
Austin Klein of Lindenwood took the loss, allowing all seven runs (five earned) in his 5.2 innings of work.
Game 2: Fort Hays State 6, Lindenwood 1
Just like game one, Fort Hays State built a 5-0 lead before Lindenwood pushed across its first run in the sixth inning. The Tigers answered that run in the bottom of the sixth with one of their own and then both teams went scoreless the rest of the way in the nine-inning contest.
Steven Federau provided the Tigers 5.2 innings of quality work on the mound, allowing just one run on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Nathan Briar entered in the sixth with two outs and runners at first and third. He got the final out on a fielder’s choice to end any further damage by the Lions, leaving FHSU in front 5-1. Briar went the rest of the way for FHSU, picking up his third save of the season. He allowed just two hits and struck out one in 3.1 innings of work. Federau moved to 2-6 for the season with the win.
The middle of the Tiger order knocked in all six runs for FHSU. Kevin Czarnecki got the Tigers on the board in the third with a RBI on a fielder’s choice. He would knock in another run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly. Horace Johnson had the big blow for FHSU in the fourth with a three-RBI double to the right center gap, following a RBI by Clayton Garland who was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Johnson finished the game 3-for-5 at the plate, as did Gus Strunk who scored three times in the game.
Will Spitzfaden took the loss for Lindenwood, going 4.1 innings in his start. He allowed five runs on 10 hits with a walk and six strikeouts.
The Tigers and Lions play the final two games of the series on Saturday, starting at 1 pm. Saturday will be Senior Day at Larks Park in Hays, the final two games at home this year.
FHSU did get help on Friday in the MIAA standings as Emporia State swept Northwest Missouri State in a doubleheader. The Tigers jumped from 5 1/2 games back of eighth-place NWMSU to 3 1/2 games back. Both ESU and NWMSU play the final two games of that series on Saturday.