Tigers swept in season ending series at Missouri Western

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Missouri Western scored five runs in the seventh inning to rally for a 7-4 victory over the Fort Hays State Tigers in game two of their doubleheader Saturday at the Spring Sports Center in St. Joseph to complete the four-game series sweep. The Griffons scored a run in the bottom of the seventh to win the opener 1-0.

The Tigers end their season by losing their final five games and finish the year 17-29 and 14-26 in the MIAA. The Griffons have won 13 of their last 17 and improve to 28-14 and 24-14 in conference play.

The Tigers led 4-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh thanks to a three-run second which saw RBI singles from Horace Johnson, Kevin Czarnecki and Cooper Langley.

Starter Gus Strunk pitched well until the seventh when he loaded the bases with no outs on two singles and a hit batter. Gabe Cook came in to relieve and after a strikeout of leadoff hitter Trevor LaHonta, gave up a two-run single to Dylan Koch. Cook struck out Ryan Denger then walked David Chew. Jake Schrader followed with a two-run single to put the Griffons up 7-4.

Strunk took the loss, allowing five runs, four earned, on seven hits over six innings.

The Tigers waste a great pitching performance from Steven Federau in the first game. Federau pitched a shutout through the first six innings. He didn’t allow a baserunner past first until the seventh when Trevor LaHonta singled then moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. He scored the games only run on Ryan Degner’s one-out single to center. Federau allowed just four hits while striking out four and walking one.

Missouri Western’s Jake Jones was equally as impressive, holding the Tigers to two hits before leaving with two outs in the sixth with the bases loaded. Fort Hays State used a walk, bunt single and fielders choice to load the bases with no outs. The Griffons got a force out at home on Jordan Miller’s grounder to third. After Gus Strunk struck out for the second out, Clayton Garland lined out to first to end the Tiger only scoring threat of the game.