FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State women’s soccer head coach Craig Shaw announced the signings of three international team athletes for the 2014 season on Thursday, bringing the signing class total to 12 after nine earlier signees in February.

Silvana Romero, Veronica Kurtz and Valeria Jaramillo have all filed letters of intent with the school and will join the Tigers for 2014.  Romero and Kurtz hail from Asuncion, Paraguay as members of the U-20 World Cup national team while Jaramillo is transferring as a sophomore after playing last season at Texas A&M International.  Jaramillo played for the U-20 Colombian National Team from 2010-12.

Romero, listed at 5’8″, will play forward and midfield for the Tigers after playing club ball with Cerro Porteno.  Kurtz, a 5’6″ forward, played with Romero on the World Cup team and Cerro Porteno.

“I am very excited about Victoria and Silvana,” Shaw said.  “They have both the South American technical ability & creativity and with the North American athleticism and work rate.  They are playing in the world cup this summer so should come in with confidence.  I will be looking for them to add creativity to our team in the final third and add their share of goals.”

Jaramillio, a 5’9″ midfielder from Cali, Colombia, earned First Team All-Conference honors as a freshman last season at TAMIU, scoring four goals with 17 appearances.

“Valeria will be a key player for us in the midfield,” Shaw said.  “She has international experience from the U-20 Columbian National Team as well as being on a NCAA DII First Team All-Conference player at TAMIU.  She has the great technical ability to keep possession but is also very physical and has great desire to win the ball back.”

To read about the other nine signees for the 2014 season, click here.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State softball was tabbed eighth in the NCAA Division II Central Region Rankings, released Wednesday (April 16).  This is the first of three versions of the rankings, released weekly leading up to the NCAA Division II Softball Selection Show, set for March 5 at 10 a.m. ET.  The eight teams selected will advance to the NCAA Regional, set for May 9-11.

Complete Region Rankings

The Central Region is made up of teams from the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and the Great American Conference, with three automatic bids being given to winners of the conference tournaments.  The other five slots in the NCAA Regional are awarded on an at-large basis, with the top two seeds serving as tournament hosts.  The winner of each regional site will advance to the NCAA Super Regional, May 16-17.  The NCAA Championships will take place May 22-26 in Salem, Va.

Minnesota State-Mankato sits first in the regional rankings with a 32-6 Division II record and a 27-4 regional record.  FHSU defeated MSU-Mankato earlier this season at the 8-State Classic on Feb. 16, 11-3 in five innings.  The Mavericks are currently tied for first in the NSIC Standings with Wayne State (ninth in the Central Region rankings).

MIAA opponent Emporia State is second in the rankings with a 36-9 record against Division II opponents and a 35-9 in-region record.  ESU swept the Tigers at home in a mid-March doubleheader, and is currently first in the MIAA standings, just ahead of Central Oklahoma.

Rounding out the top five is Augustana (31-8 DII, 25-8 In-Region), UCO (35-11 DII and In-Region) and Winona State (26-6 DII, 16-6 In-Region).  FHSU split with UCO earlier this season in Edmond, Okla., snapping the Bronchos’ 35-game home winning streak with a 4-1 win in Game 1 of a doubleheader.  The Tigers were scheduled to play Winona State at the Teri Mathis Tournament earlier this season, which was canceled due to wintry weather.

GAC leader Southeastern Oklahoma State is sixth in the rankings, posting a 29-13 record in the region and against DII opponents, just ahead of Missouri Western (31-15 overall and in-region), which is seventh.  FHSU dropped a doubleheader with MWSU earlier this month on the road, but the Tigers are battling with the Griffons’ for the third slot in the MIAA standings.

FHSU is eighth in the rankings after going 24-16 against Division II opponents this season, all of which has been in-region competition.  FHSU closes out the regular season with home and away doubleheaders against Nebraska-Kearney, April 26-27, respectively.  Senior Day for the Tigers is Saturday (April 26) with games at 2 and 4 p.m.

Closing out the rankings at No. 9 and No. 10 are Wayne State (Neb.) and East Central.  Wayne State (29-10 DII, 23-8 In-Region) is tied with MSU-Mankato for first in the NSIC standings, and East Central (25-20 DII, 25-20 In-Region) sits fifth in the GAC.

Below are the complete Central Region Rankings for April 16…

Rank	Team	DII	In-Region
1	Minnesota State-Mankato	32-6	27-4
2	Emporia State	36-9	35-9
3	Augustana (S.D.)	31-8	25-8
4	Central Oklahoma	35-11	35-11
5	Winona State	26-6	16-6
6	Southeastern Oklahoma	29-13	29-13
7	Missouri Western State	31-15	31-15
8	Fort Hays State	24-16	24-16
9	Wayne State (Neb.)	29-10	23-8
10	East Central	25-20	25-20

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Horace Johnson’s two-out grand slam capped a seven-run eighth inning, lifting the Fort Hays State Tigers to a 14-12 comeback win over Bethany Wednesday at Larks Park. Johnson’s only hit of the game followed a bases loaded walk to Clayton Garland. Gabe Cook and Kodie Fewin also drove in runs in the eighth as the Tigers win their second straight to move to 14-24.

Gus Struck retired all nine that he faced over the last three innings for the win. Strunk, who is the Tigers normal second baseman, struck out four and walked none to pick up his first win of the season.

Jordan Miller had four of the Tigers 15 hits. He along with Garand drove in two runs. Cooper Langley had three hits including a double.

Bethany hit two home runs in a five-run second to take a 5-3 lead. The first three runs scored when Nathan Zimmerman’s throw to first base on a sacrifice bunt attempt went into left field. The Tiger starting pitcher lasted just two innings allowing the five runs on four hits. The Swedes added five more in the fourth to grab a 10-3 lead.

The Tigers would get three in the bottom of the fourth on singles from Nick Hammeke and Jordan Miller. Clayton Garland’s homer an inning later cut the gap to 10-7.

Bethany took advantage of a couple of Tiger errors in the sixth to score two and build their lead to 12-7. It would stay that way until the Tigers struck for the seven runs in the eighth.

The Tigers close out their home schedule with doubleheaders Friday and Saturday against Lindenwood. Friday’s games begin at 2pn and Saturday’s start at 1pm. You can hear the second game each day on KAYS (1400-AM).

Steve Johnson Postgame Interview

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State dropped its final MIAA match of the season on the road at Nebraska-Kearney on Tuesday (Apr. 15). The Tigers fell by a score of 9-0, wrapping up MIAA play at 2-8. The Tigers moved to 7-11 overall. Nebraska-Kearney moved to 18-6 overall and 7-3 in the MIAA.

In doubles play, the No. 1 team of Camille Caron-Bedard and McKenzie Haynes and the No. 3 team of Michelle Miller and Reinette Strydom dropped matches by scores of 8-3. The No. 2 team of Brittney Ricci and Katie Hipp fell at No. 2 by a score of 8-6.

The Lopers won all singles matches in straight sets. Miller lost 6-1, 6-1 at No. 3, Hipp lost 6-0, 6-1 at No. 4, Strydom lost 6-3, 6-4 at No. 5, and Dick lost 6-1, 6-2 at No. 6. Caron-Bedard (No. 1) and Ricci (No. 2) were each down a set before they each retired in the second set.

The Tigers have one more match to go in the 2013-14 season at Newman University Saturday.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State men’s golf finished ninth at the Embassy Suites Invitational hosted by Lindenwood University, April 14-15 in St. Charles, Mo. The Tigers slipped a spot in the standings on the second day after sitting in eighth following the first day. The tournament was held at Whitmoor Country Club, a par-72 layout.

The Tigers shot 656 as a team over two rounds. FHSU improved by 16 strokes on the second day of competition. Central Oklahoma won the tournament with a total of 603, followed by Lindenwood at 613 and Washburn at 619.

Trey Herman led the Tigers by tying for ninth individually. After a 10-over par round of 82 on the first day, he bounced back for a 1-over par 73 on Tuesday. His 155 total was 10 strokes back of tournament champion Greg MacAulay of Lindenwood. MacAulay shot 1-over par total after an opening round 69 (3-under).

Grant Storey tied for 28th with rounds of 83 and 80. Nick VonLintel was one stroke back in a tie for 30th with rounds of 83 and 81. Jeff Heptig shot rounds of 88 and 86 to finish in a tie for 46th. Sam Christianson shot 95 on the first day but withdrew from the second round.

The four-game MIAA baseball series with Lindenwood University in Hays this weekend has now shifted to Friday and Saturday only with poor weather forecasted for Thursday. The teams will now play two doubleheaders. The first doubleheader will be Friday (Apr. 18) starting at 2 pm and then the second doubleheader will be on Saturday (Apr. 19) starting at 1 pm.

The single nine-inning contest with Bethany College on Wednesday (Apr. 16) is still on as scheduled. Come out to see the Tigers play their final five home games of the 2014 season this week at Larks Park.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State men’s golf sits in eighth after the first round of the Embassy Suites Invtational, hosted by Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. The tournament is being played at the Whitmoor Country Club. FHSU is one of six MIAA schools competing in the tournament.

Trey Herman led the Tigers on day one by shooting 82. Grand Storey and Nick VonLintel are both a stroke back of Herman after shooting 83. Jeff Heptig shot 88 and Sam Christianson shot 95. The Tigers had a team score of 336.

Central Oklahoma leads the way as a team after a score of 306. The Bronchos are 10 strokes ahead of tournament host Lindenwood. Greg MacAulay of Lindenwood leads the way as he was the only player under par in the opening round. He shot a 3-under 69. He has a five-shot lead going into the second day.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State baseball gained a split in the final two games of a four-game series at Southwest Baptist on Saturday in Bolivar, Mo. The Tigers made a thrilling comeback in the final inning of game one, but came up a run short in a 16-15 loss, but bounced back behind a strong outing from Joe Mapes for a 12-5 win in game two. The Tigers are now 13-24 overall and 11-21 in the MIAA. SBU moved to 22-18 overall and 18-13 in the MIAA.

Game 1: Southwest Baptist 16, Fort Hays State 15
Fort Hays State needed seven runs to tie in the seventh inning and came up with six, falling to Southwest Baptist by one run in the first game Saturday. A Jordan Miller three-run homer with two outs pulled the Tigers within one, but SBU’s Spencer Andrews got a groundout to follow ending the game and a huge rally.

The Tigers took a 2-0 lead initially in the first inning on a two-RBI single by Cooper Langley, but the Bearcats responded with three in the bottom of the first powered by two home runs to take a 3-2 lead. FHSU tied the game with a run in the second on a Clayton Garland RBI single, but SBU scored three more in the bottom half of the inning to make it 6-3.

Fort Hays State took its second lead of the game at 7-6 with four runs in the third. James Denton and Nick Hammeke each had RBI singles, Gus Strunk added a sacrifice fly RBI, and Garland had a RBI double. The lead was short lived once again as SBU scored a run in the bottom of the inning to tie the game 7-7.

A solo home run by Langley put the Tigers in front for the third time in the game in the fourth, but SBU responded with a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the inning to grab the lead back at 9-8.

The Tigers were held without a run in the fifth, the only time in the game a team failed to score in an inning. SBU then tacked on four in the bottom half of the inning to extend its lead to 13-8. FHSU starter Austin Unrein was finally lifted on the mound in the inning, allowing 12 runs on 15 hits with three walks and two strikeouts. He would take the loss, moving to 3-2. Drew Martineau could not get an out against the two batters he faced, yielding a run on two hits. Nathan Briar finally stopped the rally inducing a ground-ball double play to the second batter he faced.

Hammeke had a RBI single in the sixth for the only run of the inning for FHSU and SBU tacked on three more in the bottom half to make it 16-9 going into the seventh. SBU rallied for the three runs on two outs with a two-run homer and RBI single. All runs were charged to Briar, who finished with three runs allowed on four hits and a walk.

Garland sparked the final-inning rally for the Tigers with a triple to lead off the seventh. Horace Johnson followed with a RBI double. Langley notched his fourth RBI of the game with another double, making it 16-11. With two outs, Denton had a RBI double to make it 16-12, then Hammeke walked, setting up the three-run home run by Jordan Miller to pull the Tigers within one. Gus Strunk worked a full count in his at bat following, but grounded out to third to end the game.

The Bearcats used six pitchers in the game with their fourth, Matt Dye, getting the win. He pitched 2.1 innings of relief and allowed just one run, moving to 2-0 on the season. Even though he surrendered the home run to Miller in the seventh, Spencer Andrews recorded his second save of the season securing the final out for SBU.

Game 2: Fort Hays State 12, Southwest Baptist 5
Fort Hays State jumped out to a 5-0 lead before SBU finally got on the board in the fourth with a pair of runs. The Tigers never trailed in a game they methodically went on to win 12-5 behind a solid pitching performance from starter Joe Mapes.

Fort Hays State scored two in an inning five times in the nine-inning contest and posted single runs in the third and eighth innings. The only innings the Tigers went scoreless were the fourth and seventh.

Clayton Garland, Horance Johnson and Kodie Fewin all had two RBI in the game. Garland, now hitting .430 on the season, went 3-for-4 at the dish with two singles and a triple. He had RBIs on the triple and a sacrifice fly. Johnson picked up a RBI on a sacrifice bunt in the first inning and had a RBI single later. Fewin had a two-run home run in the ninth and scored three runs in the game.

Casey Sedbrook had a 3-for-5 game and scored three runs, while Gus Strunk went 2-for-4 and scored twice.

Mapes went through eight batters without allowing a hit to start the game, keeping the Bearcats off the board for three innings. After allowing two in the fourth and one in the fifth, he settled back in to hold the Bearcats scoreless in the sixth and seventh thanks to ground-ball double plays. Mapes got the Bearcats to hit into a total of three double plays in his outing.

Mapes retired the first two batters he faced in the eighth before running into trouble by hitting a batter and allowing two singles. He turned the ball over to Gabe Cook who got the final out of the eighth. Cook allowed one run in the ninth.

Mapes moved to 2-4 on the season by going 7.2 innings. He allowed four runs on eight hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Cole Roark took the loss for SBU, going 5.0 innings. He allowed nine runs (six earned) on eight hits and three walks with three strikeouts.

 

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Ed Williams caught four touchdown passes to lead the Fort Hays State offense in their annual Spring Scrimmage on a warm sunny Saturday afternoon at Lewis Field. The scrimmage pitted the offense against the defense and was not formatted in a game setting. The scrimmage ends the Tigers spring practice schedule. They open their season at home September 4th against Central Oklahoma.

Chris Brown Press Conference

Williams, who was second on the team with seven touchdown receptions despite missing four games in 2013 due to a leg injury, scored from 36 yards out on a pass from Treveon Albert on the No. 1 offense first possession. He also caught TD passes from 39 and 15 yards from Albert and a one-yard scoring strike from junior college transfer Kevin Spain.

Spain threw an 18-yard TD pass to Evan Jennings on the fourth possession of the day. That drive was kept alive on key third down catch by Isaiah Maxi. Spain, who spent one season at Hawaii before transferring to Scottsdale (Ariz.) CC, also hit Bilal Salat on a 26 yard pass, setting  up a Drew O’Brien 32 yard field goal.

Last year’s backup quarterback Edin Kovac hit sophomore Steven Strand on a 12-yard scoring strike on third and 10. The score was set up by a 27-yard pass to redshirt freshman Tyler Bacon. Kovac and Bacon would connect on a 19-yard TD pass a few possessions later.

Running back Ed Smith had a 49-yard catch and run early in the scrimmage which set up a 29 yard field goal from Drew O’Brien. Smith would also score a couple of touchdowns in goal line situations.

The defense managed just one turnover, a Nate Simpson interception in the endzone. Linebacker Michael Terry did pick off a pass late in the scrimmage but it was taken away by a defensive holding penalty.

QB Treveon Albert

WR Ed Williams

FHSU Sports Informaton

Fort Hays State closed out its eight-game road trip with a split at Pittsburg State on Saturday.  FHSU won the first game, 6-5, in nine innings before falling in the second game, 11-3, in five innings.

FHSU is now 26-17 overall and 15-9 in the MIAA, while PSU is stayed at .500 (23-23) overall and moved to 9-13 in the conference.

The Tigers are idle until Saturday, April 26, when they return to Tiger Stadium for a doubleheader with Nebraska-Kearney.

Game 1: FHSU 6, PSU 5 (9 innings)
Tied at five after seven innings, Fort Hays State pulled off a comeback win with Callie Wright’s game-winning home run in the ninth, defeating Pittsburg State 6-5 in the first game of a doubleheader.

Paxton Duran (16-7) grabbed the win from the circle, tossing all nine innings with five runs allowed on eight hits, striking out eight and walking just one batter.  After giving up five runs in the opening five frames, Duran threw shutout ball from the sixth inning on to set FHSU up for the comeback.

Offensively, Amanda Vaupel was 2-for-4 with an RBI double and five other Tigers had hits, including Wright’s solo home run.

PSU took a 3-0 lead in the first on a three-run blast.  Tiffany Brown walked and McKenzie Rynard singled before Nicole Nease took a ball just over the left field fence.

In the second, FHSU struck back with a run of its own, using Vaupel’s two-out RBI double that scored Kylie Strand, who reached on a fielder’s choice earlier in the inning.

The Tigers tied the game in the third, taking advantage of a PSU error and a timely single from Samantha Villarreal with two outs.  Kellsi Olse drew a leadoff walk and took second on Bianca Adame’s sacrifice bunt.  After Courtney Dobson walked, Danie Brinkmann grounded into a fielder’s choice at third base, but when going for the double play, an overthrow from Kylie Guthier allowed Dobson to wheel around to the plate and Brinkmann moved to second.  Villarreal followed with a single up the middle, driving a 3-2 pitch into center to push Brinkmann home, tying it at 3-3.

After giving up the early lead, PSU regained control (5-3) in the fourth with an RBI double from Kylie Harpst, who, after moving to third on a throw to the plate, later scored on a wild pitch.

FHSU again climbed back to knot the game in the fifth, using three hits and a PSU error for two runs.  Adame singled through the left side for the first hit of the inning, and after stealing second during Dobson’s at-bat, Dobson singled to deep short, putting runners on first and second with no outs.  Brinkmann’s fly ball landed just out of reach of the left fielder, allowing Adame to sprint home after pausing to tag up.  After Amy Dunn pinch ran for Brinkmann, a double steal during Villarreal’s moved both runners into scoring position.  Strand’s fly ball to right was caught in fair territory, but the throw in skipped off first baseman Alex Perez’s glove, giving Dobson a window to dash home and tie the game.

After three full innings of scoreless ball, FHSU’s Wright gave the Tigers their first lead of the day in the ninth with a game-winning solo blast to left center.  The home run was her second of the weekend after providing the game winner against Missouri Southern in Game 1 of Friday’s doubleheader.

Game 2: PSU 11, FHSU 3 (5 innings) 
Fort Hays State held an early lead but couldn’t hold on, dropping an 11-3 contest in five innings to split the doubleheader.

Kelsey Kimminau (9-7) took the loss, throwing 2.0 innings and giving up six runs (five earned) on nine hits, striking out two.  Katelyn Kern entered in the third, throwing 0.2 innings and allowing four runs (one earned). Paxton Duran got the final out in the third, though she was tagged for a run on two hits in the process. Jordan Jones threw the fourth in shutout fashion, striking out two.

Callie Wright was 2-for-2 at the plate with two RBI and two doubles, while Courtney Dobson went 1-for-2 with an RBI.

For the second time on the day, PSU took an early lead (1-0) as Brenna George came home on a two-out error, but the Tigers struck back soon after, scoring two in the second for a 2-1 lead.

Kylie Strand reached on an error to start the inning and took second on Rilee Krier’s bunt single. Both runners moved up on Vaupel’s sacrifice bunt, and with one out, Wright continued her clutch hitting of late with an RBI double to left center, scoring Strand and Krier.

In the top of the third, Pitt State regained the lead (5-2) with four runs on six hits, including a three-RBI double from Cheslyn Mitchell.  The Gorillas’ pushed that advantage to nine in the third, stringing together five hits and using an FHSU error to take an 11-2 lead.

Needing two runs to extend the game for FHSU, Wright doubled to left center to start the inning, and Kelli Koehler (who pinch ran for Wright), took third on Olsen’s ground out.  Later in the inning, Koehler came home on Dobson’s single, but it wasn’t enough for the game to continue due to the eight-run rule.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State Softball used a strong offensive showing to sweep Missouri Southern in a conference doubleheader Friday, taking the first contest in eight innings, 9-5, before winning the finale, 5-1.

The Tigers (25-16, 14-8 MIAA) had 23 hits on the day, including four home runs, outscoring MSSU (14-30, 7-13 MIAA), 14-6 in the doubleheader.

FHSU closes out the weekend’s action with a doubleheader at Pittsburg State on Saturday (April 12).  First pitch in Pittsburg, Kan., is set for Noon.

Game 1: FHSU 9, MSSU 5 (8 innings)
5.

Paxton Duran improved to 15-7 on the season with a complete game performance, striking out eight and allowing five runs (four earned) on 12 hits.

At the plate, Danie Brinkmann (four RBI, three-run home run) and Amanda Vaupel (triple, run scored) went 3-for-4, and Courtney Dobson 5 with two RBI. Callie Wright had two hits on the day, including a solo home run that gave the Tigers a lead in the eighth.

Bianca Adame, Dobson, Brinkmann, Kylie Strandhit performances.

Kellsi Olsen led off the third with a single down the left field, and moved to second on Bianca Adame’s sacrifice bunt.  Dobson singled to put runners on first and third with one out, and after Dobson stole second, Brinkmann’s sacrifice fly to center was deep enough to move both runners up, plating Olsen.  With two outs, Samantha Viullarreal reached on an error by MSSU’s Michala Wood that allowed Dobson to score and give FHSU a 2-0 lead.

Vaupel’s single up the middle started things in the fourth for FHSU, followed by Wright’s bunt (scored a fielder’s choice as the throw to second was late) that put two on with no out.  Later in the inning, after Vaupel and Kelli Koehler (who pinch ran for Wright) moved up on a passed ball, Adame’s bunt single loaded the bases with one out.  Dobson followed with an RBI single through the left side that scored Vaupel and Koehler, putting the Tigers ahead, 4-0.

Fort Hays State took a 5-0 lead in the fifth, starting with Strand’s line drive to center.  After stealing second base, Strand scored on Duran’s double that found the right center gap.

MSSU climbed back to with one (5-4) in the fifth, taking advantage of Dawn Grass’ two-RBI double and Kathryn Goins’ two-run home run.  In the sixth, MSSU’s Michala Wood scored on an error, tying the game at 5-all.  MSSU came close to taking the lead with two outs in the sixth, but Madison Putman’s throw from right beat Chloe Brown to the plate for the third out.

Tied 5-5 after the seventh, Wright gave the Tigers a lead in the eighth with a lead off solo home run to left center.  Wright’s home run, her first since 2012, put the Tigers back in control.  From there, Olsen reached on an error by MSSU’s Brooklyn Farrell, and took second on Adame’s bunt single.  With one out, Brinkmann worked a 3-2 count before launching a line drive over the left field fence for a three-run home run.  The blast was Brinkmann’s second of the season, giving the Tigers insurance runs before closing out the win.

Game 2: FHSU 5, MSSU 1
Fort Hays State closed out the doubleheader sweep with a 5-1 win in Game 2, racking up seven hits

Kelsey Kimminau (9-6) was credited with the win, throwing a complete game and giving up just one run on seven hits, striking out seven – a career-high mark for the junior.   After giving up an RBI single in the second inning, Kimminau retired 13 straight MSSU batters, a streak that lasted into the sixth inning.

Offensively, Kylie Strand was 2-for-3 with a home run and Danie Brinkmann finished 1-for-3 with a two-run home run. Samantha Villarreal was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

FHSU jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first, using Bianca Adame’s speed for the run.  Adame walked to lead off the game, stole second base, and after taking third on Courtney Dobson’s groundout, scored on a passed ball during Brinkmann’s at-bat.

MSSU tied the game, 1-1, in the second, scoring a run on three singles, but the Tigers struck back in the third.

Dobson led off the top of three with a single through the left side before moving to second as Danie Brinkmann laid down the bunt, but reached safely as MSSU’s Kathryn Goins’ was tagged with a throwing error.  Villarreal followed with an RBI single into center field, scoring Dobson as the second baseman beat the throw to the plate.

Strand extended the Tigers’ lead to two (3-1) in the sixth, crushing a 1-2 pitch over the left field fence for the solo shot – her third of the season.

In the seventh, Adame singled with one out and stole second later in the inning before Brinkmann put the game away, taking a 0-1 pitch high over the left center field fence for a two-run shot, giving the Tigers a 5-1 lead.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State baseball fell in both games of a doubleheader on Friday (Apr. 11) at Southwest Baptist in Bolivar, Mo. The Bearcats took game one 14-3 and then held off the Tigers for a 9-6 win in game two. FHSU is now 12-23 overall and 10-20 in the MIAA. SBU moved to 21-17 overall and 17-12 in the MIAA.

Game 1: Southwest Baptist 14, Fort Hays State 3
Southwest Baptist methodically moved out to a 4-0 lead in game one with one run in the second, two in the third, and one in the fourth before FHSU finally got on the scoreboard with a run in the fifth on a bases-loaded walk by Gus Strunk. Unfortunately, the Tigers could not rally for more with the sacks juiced and then Southwest Baptist’s offense put the game away with 10 runs over the next two innings (five in the fifth and five in the sixth).

Down 9-1, the Tigers got two more runs in the sixth on a bases-loaded single by Nick Hammeke and bases-loaded walk by Jordan Miller before the Bearcats tacked on their second-straight five spot.

Tim Collins got the win on the mound for SBU, going 5.1 innings in his start. He allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts, moving to 4-3 on the season.

Tyler Patty took the loss for FHSU, going 4.0 innings in his start. He allowed six runs on 13 hits and one walk, dropping to 1-5 on the year. Joe Mapes threw an inning of relief, allowing four runs on five hits, Josh Norris lasted just a third of an inning and allowed four runs on three hits and a walk, and Drew Martineau threw two-thirds of an inning and just allowed two hits.

Game 2: Southwest Baptist 9, Fort Hays State 6
Southwest Baptist had a five-run second inning and would never surrender the lead the rest of the way in the nine-inning contest of the afternoon. The Tigers pulled within three after scoring a pair of runs in the third on a RBI double by Horace Johnson and RBI single by Kevin Czarnecki, but SBU canceled that with two runs in the fourth.

The Tigers made a push in the seventh with three runs to trim the SBU lead to 7-5. Clayton Garland had a sacrifice fly RBI, followed by a RBI single from Johnson and a RBI double from Czarnecki.

The Bearcats made a comeback tough by scoring twice in the eighth to make it 9-5 and the Tigers could only muster a run in the top of the ninth courtesy of an error to make the eventual final of 9-6.

Cory Borsh moved to 4-2 on the season with the win for SBU, going 6.1 innings. He allowed five runs on 12 hits and two walks, but struck out five. Steven Federau took the loss for FHSU, going 4.1 innings in his start. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and two walks with one strikeout. Nathan Briar threw 3.1 innings of relief and allowed two runs on five hits with one strikeout. Ty Thoma threw the final third of an inning, allowing one hit.

The Tigers are beginning to run out of time in their quest for possibly making the MIAA Tournament. FHSU is currently five and a half games out of eighth place in the standings heading into the final two games of the series with SBU on Saturday. FHSU has two more four-game MIAA series’ to play, so just 10 conference games remain on the slate.