Fort Hays State defeated Bethany College (Kan.) in a single non-conference game by a score of 16-5 on Tuesday (Mar. 20) at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. The win improves FHSU to 6-10 overall on the season and pushes its winning streak to four games.

The Tiger bats put the game away early with six runs in the first and five in the second, leading 11-2 after two innings. FHSU tagged Bethany starter Boston Draper for nine runs, all earned, in 1.1 innings of work.

FHSU starting pitcher Alex Ellison left the game with an arm injury after throwing just three pitches. Kyle Leroy entered in relief and allowed two runs in his two innings of work. Leroy picked up the win to move to 1-0 on the season. He allowed four hits, struck out two, and walked one. Also seeing relief appearances in the game for FHSU were Jesse Hart, Nathan Zimmerman, Tayler Davis, Matt Patzner and Logan Downing. Davis, Patzner, and Downing did not allow a run over the last four innings of work.

Four FHSU players recorded three hits in the game, which included Nash Smith, Brandon Hoefler, Ryan Busboom and JC Ochoa. Smith, Anthony Salinas and Jay Sanders all tied with a team-high three RBI. Busboom recorded two RBI and Ochoa, Hoefler, and Shane Wade all had one.

The Tigers had five doubles in the game, led by Salinas with two. Busboom, Ochoa, and Sanders all had one. The 13 other hits collected by the Tigers were all singles. FHSU had a total of 18 hits in the game.

Fort Hays State now prepares for a four-game conference weekend series in Hays against the No. 1 ranked team in NCAA Division II, Central Missouri. The Mules enter the weekend at 16-1 overall and 11-1 in the MIAA. Fort Hays State is 4-7 in the MIAA, coming off a three-game sweep at Lincoln University this past weekend in Jefferson City, Mo.

– FHSU Sports Information –