Fort Hays State picked up a doubleheader sweep in non-conference play at Newman University in Wichita, Kan. on Tuesday. The Tigers won game one in come-from-behind fashion, 5-3 in eight innings, and then won game two 6-2. Fort Hays State improved to 15-3 overall heading into MIAA play.
Fort Hays State 5, Newman 3 (8 inn.)
The Tigers held the early advantage after a RBI single by pitcher Paxton Duran in the second, but Newman took advantage of a bases loaded situation with no outs in the fifth and scored three runs in the inning.
Tori Beltz kept the Tigers alive with a two-out, two-RBI double in the sixth to tie the game, which would eventually force extra innings.
The game was decided by the international tiebreaker in the eighth as Danie Brinkmann was placed on second to start the inning. Amanda Vaupel immediately gave the Tigers the lead with a RBI double and two batters later, Beltz drove home Vaupel with her second double of the game to put FHSU up 5-3.
After starter Paxton Duran struggled at the beginning of the fifth, Maddie Holub entered with one out in the inning and shut the door on the Jets the remainder of the game. She allowed just one hit and one walk, while striking out seven in her relief appearance of 3.2 innings. She moved to 8-0 on the season with the win.
Fort Hays State 6, Newman 2
Maddie Holub started game two of the doubleheader and held the Jets scoreless over the first two innings, not allowing a hit and striking out two.
Once Fort Hays State exploded for five runs in the third, head coach Erin Kinberger went with Jordan Jones the rest of the way in the pitching circle to give Holub rest entering conference play this weekend. Jones allowed two runs the rest of the way, just one earned, as she picked up the win in 5.0 innings of relief. She allowed seven hits and struck out four, moving to 2-0 on the season.
Holub broke a scoreless tie in the third with a RBI double. Amanda Vaupel knocked Holub in with a RBI single. Paxton Duran immediately followed with a two-RBI double and then she later scored on a throwing error by the Newman catcher. Courtney Dobson drove home the final run for FHSU in the fourth with a RBI groundout. FHSU led 6-0 before Newman picked up single runs in the fifth and seventh.
Fort Hays State opens MIAA play at Emporia State, the defending conference champion, on Friday, then make the short trip up to Topeka for another conference doubleheader at Washburn on Saturday.
– FHSU Sports Information –