ODESSA, Texas – The Fort Hays State baseball team took care of business for the second straight day with a 6-3 come-from-behind victory over Texas-Permian Basin on Saturday (Feb. 3). The Tigers improved to 2-0 with the win, while UTPB dropped to 0-2 to begin the season.
Cody Rottinghaus (1-0) earned the win, pitching one inning in relief. Sam Capps picked up the save in his first appearance of the season, his second save as a Tiger. The duo combined for three innings of hitless relief, each striking out one batter.
Fort Hays State produced 12 hits and five doubles on the day as Texas-Permian Basin managed to manufacture three runs on nine hits, while making two errors in the field.
Junior Ryan Grasser had a big day at the plate, driving in one run on four hits in five at-bats. The second-baseman picked up two doubles and scored two critical runs for the Tigers in the comeback effort.
UT-Permian Basin scored first with a solo home run in the home half of the third inning before extended the lead to 3-0 in the sixth.
The Tigers started their rally in the seventh inning when Jordan Wilkerson worked a walk to lead off. Grasser delivered a big hit in the next at-bat, doubling to left to score Wilkerson from first base. Addison Kaasch came in to pinch hit and reached base with an infield single to shortstop. Jason Nicholson then reached on a throwing error, scoring Grasser to cut the Falcon lead to one, 3-2. Kaasch scored on a sac fly two batters later when Alex Weiss lifted a fly ball to left, knotting the game at three runs apiece.
The Tigers were not finished, however, as they led off the eighth inning with three-straight hits. Wilkerson clubbed a double to left before heading for third on a bunt single from Grasser. Marcus Altman then continued his sizzling start to the season, dropping a two-RBI double in the gap in left center, plating Grasser and Wilkerson. Altman later scored on a wild pitch to give the Tigers the 6-3 edge that would ultimately give the Tigers the win.
Ryan Ruder began the game on the hill for the Tigers, giving up one run on seven hits in 4.2 innings pitched. Ruder left the game in the fifth inning striking out three batters in his first appearance of the year.
The Tigers continued to showcase strong plate discipline, working seven walks after picking up six on Friday.
The Tigers look for the series sweep on Sunday (Feb. 4) when they battle the Falcons at Roden Field. First pitch is set for noon.