MARYVILLE, Mo. – Despite scoring three runs in the first inning, the Fort Hays State baseball team dropped the second game of their weekend conference series to Northwest Missouri State 4-3 Saturday at Bearcat Field. o 3-26 overall and 2-18 in conference play, while the Bearcats moved to 16-15 on the season and 12-8 in MIAA action.

Tyler Olson’s double down the left field line scored scored Landon Erway to give the Tigers (3-26, 2-18 MIAA) and early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Ryan Grasser then delivered a two-run single, scoring Olson and Taylan Mullins-Ohm.

Tiger starter Ethan Booe shut down the Bearcat (16-15, 12-8 MIAA) bats for the better part of three innings until they cut into the Tiger lead with an RBI single in the third. The Bearcats tied the score at 3-3 in the fourth with an RBI double and an RBI single in consecutive plate appearances. NWMSU took the lead for good in the fifth with a sacrifice fly.

Booe tossed 5 1/3 innings allowing four runs on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Ryan Brown pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, allowing two hits with a strikeout.

Quintin Van Ackeren (4-1) allowed three runs on three hits over six innings. Alex Slocum, Aaron Easley and Trevor Dudar combined to pitch three innings of one-hit, shutout ball with Dudar picking up his seventh save of the season.

The Tigers and Bearcats will wrap up the series on Sunday (April 7) inside Bearcat Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.