BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Fort Hays State baseball team earned an 8-3 victory over Southwest Baptist in the rubber match on Sunday. The Tigers won their first conference series of the season with the victory. FHSU improves to 11-18 overall and 3-13 in MIAA play, while the Bearcats dip to 9-19 on the season and 3-13 in the conference.
SBU started the game out on a good note with a run in the home half of the first inning. FHSU fired back with a run in the third on a passed ball, allowing Bryce Baumwart to come around and score.
The Tigers picked up four runs in the next inning after Baumwart singled through the left side, scoring Dayton Pomeroy from third. The Tigers added another run on the very next batter when Dawson Sramek reached on a fielding error, allowing Ryan Grasser to cross home plate. The Tigers were not done in the inning, however, when Addison Kaasch drew a bases-loaded walk. Alex Weiss then ripped an RBI single through the right side, scoring Sramek and topping off a four run frame for the Tigers.
SBU countered with a pair of runs in the home half of the fourth inning, cutting into the FHSU lead, this time 5-3. The Tigers added another run in the fifth when Baumwart hit a fly ball deep enough into left field, giving Cody Starkel enough time to tag up at third and make it home.
The Tigers scored a couple more runs in the ninth to seal the deal when Starkel blasted a solo shot for his fourth long ball of the season. Sramek earned his second RBI of the contest with a sac fly to center, scoring Grasser from third base. Sam Capps shut the door in the ninth after inducing two fly outs and a groundout in the process.
Baumwart put together a 2-for-4 career day with two runs and two RBI in the contest. Starkel produced two hits in five at-bats, with a double and his solo home run.
Ryan Ruder allowed three runs on nine hits, while striking out three batters in 4.2 innings of work. Cody Rottinghaus (2-0) picked up the victory after not allowing a Bearcat to cross home in 3.0 frames. Capps earned his fourth save of the season, shutting down the Bearcats with a four-out save.
The Tigers are back in action Tuesday when they come back home for a midweek clash with rival Nebraska-Kearney. First pitch against the Lopers is set for 6 p.m. and can be heard on KAYS (1400-AM).