BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Fort Hays State baseball team needed extra innings to defeat Southwest Baptist on their home turf this afternoon, 7-5 in 11 innings, ending a ten-game losing streak. The Tigers improved to 10-17 on the season and 2-12 in conference play, while the Bearcats moved to 8-17 overall and 2-11 in MIAA action.

Dayton Pomeroy started what seemed to be a high-scoring affair off the right way with a three-run blast in the first inning, giving the Tigers the early 3-0 advantage. The Bearcats countered with a run in the home half of the first frame keeping the game within two runs, 3-1.

The Tigers got that run back after Addison Kaasch provided an RBI single, scoring Jordan Wilkerson and giving FHSU the 4-1 lead. SBU wasn’t going away as they plated a run in the bottom half of the second frame, cutting the lead to 4-2 after two innings of work.

Pomeroy crushed his team-leading tenth homer of the season and second blast of the game in the third inning, giving starter Ben Ramberg some more breathing room, this time 5-2 in favor of the Tigers. Southwest Baptist came storming back in the same inning with a two-run frame, coming within one of the Tigers.

After the first three innings and both teams combining for nine runs on 11 hits, the Tigers and Bearcats settled down and only allowed one run in the next seven innings when SBU tied the game in the seventh inning on a double steal.

Sam Capps came on in relief of Ramberg with two outs in the eighth frame and shut the door the rest of the way.

Bryce Baumwart led off the 11th inning with a single, giving the Tigers a chance with a runner on. Colton Helm pinch ran for Baumwart and immediately stole second base. Jason Nicholson advanced to first on a fielding error by the Bearcats, allowing Helm to reach third base. Helm then scored and Nicholson advanced 90 feet to second on a wild pitch, giving the Tigers their first run since the third frame. Alex Weiss singled in Nicholson two batters later.

Capps protected the Tiger lead after giving up back-to-back singles to start the inning, earning his second victory of the season. FHSU outhit SBU 13-9 in the contest.

The Tigers and Bearcats will square off tomorrow afternoon for game two of the weekend series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.