By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Emporia State used a pair of two-run home runs in the seventh inning to take a 7-5 lead and beat the Fort Hays State Tigers 8-6 in game one of their four-game series in front of 612 on Pack the Park night at Larks Park. The loss drops FHSU to 7-17 overall and 6-15 in the MIAA. The Hornets win their third straight and are now 17-9 and 13-8 in the MIAA.

The Tigers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second on a solo home run from Horace Johnson and two-out double from Kodie Fewin. Emporia State answered with two in the third to tie the game.

A three-run fourth gave the Tigers a 5-3 lead. Horace Johnson hit a two-run homer following a Clayton Garland double to tie the game, then one pitcher later Kevin Czarnecki hit a home run.

The score would remain that way until Price Jacobs two-run homer tied the game in the seventh. Aaron Gile would hit a two-run shot to give the Hornets the lead for good. Dean Long’s solo shot in the eighth made it 8-5. FHSU would score an unearned run in the bottom of the inning on a Czarnecki groundout.

Tyler Patty pitched 6 1/3 for the Tigers, striking out a season-high nine. Nathan Briar, who gave up two runs in relief takes the loss. Shawn Talkington struck out 11 and picks up the win for the Hornets.

The two teams play a doubleheader beginning at one o’clock on Sunday then wrap up the series with a single game at noon on Sunday.

Steve Johnson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

 

 

FHSU Sports Information
Fort Hays State Softball received nine votes in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll, down 21 votes from last week’s release.  The rankings, released Wednesday (March 26), have FHSU slated as one of three MIAA teams earning national recognition.

The Tigers have been ranked as high as 13th nationally this season, and are joined in this week’s poll by MIAA opponents Emporia State, which climbed into the Top 10 at No. 9, and Central Oklahoma, which received 16 votes.  FHSU split a doubleheader with UCO last week, stopping the Bronchos’ 35-game home winning streak.

FHSU returns to action this weekend for conference doubleheaders with Lincoln on Saturday (March 29) and Lindenwood on Sunday (March 30) at Tiger Stadium.

The complete NFCA Rankings for March 26 are below…

Rank	Team (First Place Votes)	Record	Points	Previous
1	West Texas A&M (12)	27-4	396	1
2	California Baptist (3)	30-7	379	3
3	Armstrong Atl. St. (1)	24-6	358	4
4	Tampa	23-4	330	10
5	St. Mary’s (TX)	31-4	307	7
6	Humboldt State	28-9	305	6
7	Wayne State (MI)	20-4	303	8
8	Alabama-Huntsville	21-5	295	2
9	Emporia State	26-7	281	12
10	Missouri-St. Louis	16-2	226	13
11	Augustana (SD)	17-4	210	5
12	Angelo State	24-9	203	11
13	Caldwell	10-1	195	17
14	Lenoir Rhyne	25-6	184	21
15	North Georgia	26-8	168	9
16	Cal St. Monterey Bay	22-5	166	14
17	Shippensburg	15-3	156	16
18	Valdosta State	27-8	135	RV
19	UC San Diego	18-4	90	19
20	Winona State	17-3	81	20
21	W. Virginia Wesleyan	18-6	68	22
22	Palm Beach Atlantic	21-6	65	24
23	LIU Post	13-3	62	RV
24	Midwestern State	23-9	55	RV
25	Truman State	18-5	33	RV

Dropped Out of Poll:  No. 15 North Alabama (28-8), No. 18 Texas Woman’s (20-10), No. 23 Southern New Hampshire (10-3), No. 25 Dixie State (27-8).

Others Receiving Votes: Dixie State (24), Catawba (23), North Alabama (22), Texas Woman’s (21), Central Oklahoma (16), Fort Hays State (9), Southern New Hampshire (8), Georgia College (6), Bellarmine (5), Indianapolis (4), Urbana (4), Western Oregon (4), New Haven (3).

FHSU Sports Information

The non-conference baseball game between Fort Hays State and Bethany College, scheduled for Wednesday (Mar. 26) has been canceled due to high winds in Hays. The game is now rescheduled for April 16 at 4 pm.

The Tigers are set to host Emporia State this weekend in a four-game conference series at Larks Park. The opening game of the series on Friday night will serve as the annual “Pack the Park” event at Larks Park. Game time is set for 7 pm on Friday night.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State Softball’s doubleheader versus Colorado Christian on Wednesday (March 26) has been canceled due to high winds in the Hays, Kan., area. No makeup date has been announced.

For up-to-date changes to the 2014 FHSU Softball schedule, check out fhsuathletics.com or follow @fhsuathletics on Twitter.

The Tigers continue their homestand with conference doubleheaders this weekend, March 29-30, against Lincoln and Lindenwood, respectively.

FHSU Sports Information

The Tiger softball team drew a split with Metro State to start its weeklong homestand on Tuesday (March 25).  Fort Hays State won Game 1, 2-0, on a walk-off home run before dropping the second contest, 6-1.

FHSU moved to 19-12 overall on the season while Metro State is now 13-7.  The Tigers return to action Wednesday (March 26) in a non-conference doubleheader with Colorado Christian at Tiger Stadium.  First pitch is scheduled for Noon.

Game 1: FHSU 2, Metro State 0
After six innings of scoreless play, FHSU walked off on a two-run home run from Kellsi Olsen to win, 2-0, over Metro State in Game 1.

Paxton Duran (11-5) threw her third consecutive complete game, narrowly missing her second no-hitter of the season after allowing just one hit (the lone base runner) while striking out five.  Duran has been dominant of late, giving up only one run and four hits in her last 21 innings pitched.

FHSU had six hits on the day, shutting out Metro State for the first time this season.  Olsen led the team with a 2-for-2 performance at the plate with two RBI while Amanda Vaupel was 2-for-3 with one run.

In the seventh, Vaupel led off with a single through the left side before moving to second on Kylie Strand’s sacrifice bunt.  With one down, Olsen took a 1-0 pitch over the left field wall for the win.

Game 2: Metro State 6, FHSU 1
Four runs in the second inning proved too much for Fort Hays State to overcome as it fell, 6-1, to Metro State in the doubleheader finale.

Kelsey Kimminau dropped to 7-5 with the loss, throwing two innings and allowing five runs (though just two were earned) on three hits. Sarah Cochran threw the final five innings in relief, scattering five hits for just one run earned.

At the plate, Jenna Lang finished 2-for-2 with an RBI, while Danie Brinkmann went 1-for-2 with a walk. Bianca Adame tripled to lead off the game, finishing 1-for-4 offensively.

Down 5-0 after three innings, FHSU answered with one run in the fourth, but that was it for the Tigers.  With one out, Brinkmann earned a walk and moved to second on Amanda Vaupel’s single through the left side.  After Madison Putman replaced Brinkmann as a pinch runner, Paxton Duran grounded into a fielder’s choice that put runners on first and third with two outs.  Lang singled on a 2-1 pitch to center field in the next at-bat, plating Putman.

MSU added one more in the seventh, closing out the win.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State’s Kate Lehman was named to the 2014 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division II Coaches’ All-America Team as an Honorable Mention selection, announced Monday (March 24) by the organization.

Lehman started all 29 games for the Tigers this season, helping the team to its third straight 20-win season, a first in school history.  The center led NCAA Division II with 5.4 blocks per game (155 total) and two triple-doubles.  Lehman’s points per game (16.5) and rebounds per game (11.2) averages led the team in both categories as she totaled 20 double-doubles for the year.  The Newton, Kan., native scored in double figures 25 times this season and hit the double-digit mark in rebounds 23 times.  Additionally, Lehman had at least five blocks (her season average) in 17 games.

Additionally, Lehman has climbed into the Top 10 of several school record categories, listed below:

Season Records (2013-14 season)

• No. 1 in Free Throws Attempted (229)
• No. 1 in Rebound Average (11.2)
• No. 1 in Blocks (155)
• No. 2 in Rebounds (324)
• No. 5 in Free Throws Made (158)

Career Records (2011-current)

• No. 1 in Blocks (374), and No. 7 All-Time in NCAA Division II
• No. 4 in Free Throws Attempted (531)
• No. 5 in Free Throws Made (356)
• Currently No. 5 in Scoring Average (14.5 points per game)
• No. 7 in Rebounds (772)
• Currently No. 7 in Field Goal Percentage (.526)
• No. 9 in Scoring (1,262 points) and the 17th member of the 1,000 point club

Joining Lehman from the MIAA are First Team honorees Keuna Flax (Central Missouri) and Lizzy Jeronimus (Pittsburg State).

Lehman is Fort Hays State’s first All-American honoree during its NCAA Division II era, and the first since Annette Wiles earned the distinction during the 1989-90 season, when FHSU was a member of the NAIA.

The complete WBCA Division II Coaches’ All-American Team is below…

First Team

Name	School	Position	Year	Height
Lauren Battista	Bentley	Forward	Senior	6’0″
Jada Blackwell	Cal Poly – Pomona	Forward	Junior	6’1″
Courtney Finn	Bentley	Guard	Senior	5’9″
Keuna Flax	Central Missouri	Forward	Senior	5’11”
Megan Fogt	Hillsdale College	Forward	Junior	6’1″
Hollie German	Lee	Guard	Senior	5’8″
Mimi Hill	North Georgia	Forward	Senior	6’3″
Lizzy Jeronimus	Pittsburg State	Forward	Junior	5’11”
Valerie Majewski	Edinboro	Guard	Junior	5’7″
Sharaya Selsor	Colorado Mesa	Guard	Senior	5’9″

Honorable Mention

Name	School	Position	Year	Height
Jeanette Anderson	Caldwell College	Forward	Senior	6’1″
Katie Benson	Seattle Pacific	Forward	Senior	6’1″
Taylor Beverly	Montevallo	Forward	Junior	5’10”
Carly Boag	Minot State	Center	Senior	6’1″
Mariyah Brawner-Henley	Lewis	Forward	Sophomore	6’0″
Shareta Brown	Wayne State (Neb.)	Center	Junior	6’1″
Taylor Buie	Nova Southeastern	Guard	Sophomore	5’4″
Kristen Celsor	Harding	Guard	Senior	6’0″
Erin Chambers	Simon Fraser (BC)	Guard	Junior	6’1″
Jazmine Charles	Lenoir-Rhyne	Guard	Junior	5’10”
Sarah DeShone	Ferris State	Guard	Senior	5’7″
Mary Louise Dixon	Stonehill College	Guard	Senior	5’5″
Dallas Ely	West Chester (PA)	Guard	Sophomore	5’9″
Devin Griffin	West Texas A&M	Forward	Senior	5’10”
Anna Hackert	Southern Indiana	Forward	Junior	6’1″
Courtney Hamilton	Chico State	Guard	Senior	5’8″
Aquillin Hayes	New Haven	Guard	Junior	5’8″
Malika Jackson	Texas A&M International	Forward	Senior	6’0″
Bobbi Knudsen	Montana State – Billings	Guard	Senior	5’8″
Kate Lehman	Fort Hays State	Center	Junior	6’4″
Laurel Lindsay	Edinboro	Guard	Junior	6’0″
Catherine Noack	Bloomsburg (PA)	Guard	Senior	5’8″
Jen Papich	Gannon	Forward	Senior	6’1″
Tae’lor Purdy	Regis	Guard	Senior	5’10”
Chelsey Rhodes	Delta State	Guard	Sophomore	5’6″
Jordan Smith	Alabama – Huntsville	Guard	Senior	5’8″
Williesha Spencer	Flagler College	Guard	Senior	5’3″
Seneca Walton	Delta State	Center	Junior	6’1″
Nyeshea Willie	Barton College	Guard	Senior	5’8″
Kiara Wright	Tarleton State	Center	Senior	6’1″

 

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State’s Kevin Czarnecki hit a grand slam and then a 3-run game-tying homer with two outs in the ninth to help FHSU to a 12-11 comeback win in 10 innings on Sunday (Mar. 23) against Northwest Missouri State at Larks Park in Hays. FHSU won the game on a throwing error by the shortstop with two outs in the 10th, plating a runner from third.

Fort Hays State, now 7-16 overall and 6-14 in the MIAA, came all the way back from a 9-2 deficit to eventually tie the game in the ninth on Czarnecki’s heroics. The Tigers split the four-game series with the Bearcats.

Steve Johnson Postgame Interview

Pitching struggled early as each team’s starter lasted only 0.2 innings (Alex Cox for FHSU and Andrew Trout for NWMSU). After one inning, Northwest Missouri State (14-10, 10-7 MIAA) led 4-2. After getting two quick outs to start the second inning, Northwest Missouri State strung together five straight hits, a walk, and then another hit to score five runs and take a 9-2 advantage. The five runs were charged to Joe Mapes, who relieved Cox.

With one RBI already to his credit in the first inning, Czarnecki stepped to the plate with the bases loaded in the second with two outs and delivered a grand slam over the left field wall to cut the Bearcat lead back to three at 9-6.

Both teams had pitching finally settle in to tack up zeros from the third through sixth innings. Northwest Missouri State finally ended the scoring drought with two runs in the top of the seventh off reliever Gabe Cook, who did a great job limiting the Bearcats to just the two runs on five hits and four walks with one strikeout in his 5.0 innings of relief.

FHSU immediately got the two runs back in the bottom of the seventh to make it 11-8. Austin Unrein came in to score on a passed ball and Clayton Garland had a RBI on a fielder’s choice.

Nick Hammeke relieved Cook to start the eighth inning and worked a pair of 1-2-3 innings to set the stage for the bottom of the ninth. Hammeke came into the game at shortstop in the third inning when Cook moved from shortstop to pitcher. That made the Tigers drop the DH in the lineup early in the game, but it worked to success as Cook and Hammeke were the key on the mound to let the Tiger offense chip away.

A win looked bleak for FHSU with two outs in the ninth and no runners aboard, but Garland was hit by a pitch and then Horace Johnson singled to right field to set the stage for Czarnecki. Opting to continue to bat left-handed even though he can switch hit, Czarnecki took a first-pitch fastball from lefty Ryker Fox and smoked it over the right field wall to tie the game at 11-11 and run his RBI total to eight for the game, the most by a FHSU player since April 12, 2008 when Greg Bieker had nine against Truman.

Hammeke danced around hitting a batter in the 10th, getting a groundout to keep the Bearcats scoreless with the go-ahead runner stranded at third.

With one out in the bottom of the 10th, Cook walked and then Austin Unrein singled to put runners at first and second. Cook moved to third on a flyout to right field by Jordan Miller. With two outs, Gus Strunk hit a chopper and reached by a throwing error on the Bearcat shortstop that short-hopped the first baseman, allowing Cook to score the game-winning run.

Hammeke did not allow a hit in his three innings of relief work and struck out one, moving to 2-0 on the season. Fox took the loss for Northwest Missouri, now 4-2 after tossing 3.1 innings of relief. Fox was the starting pitcher and winner for NWMSU in the first game of the series.

The Tigers are slated to play Bethany College in a non-conference game on Wednesday (Mar. 26) at Larks Park in Hays. Game time is set for 3 pm. The Tigers then host Emporia State in a four-game conference series on the weekend (Mar. 28-30) with Friday as “Pack the Park” night at Larks Park.

FHSU Sports Infomation

Fort Hays State earned a split in the doubleheader against Northwest Missouri State on Saturday at Larks Park. The Tigers won game one in comeback fashion 7-6 with a walk-off RBI single, but fell in game two 7-5. FHSU moved to 6-16 overall and 5-14 in the MIAA, while Northwest Missouri State moved to 14-9 overall and 10-6 in the MIAA.

Game 1: Fort Hays State 7, Northwest Missouri State 6
Horace Johnson had a two-out RBI walk-off single in game one to push the Tigers to a 7-6 victory. Down 6-5 heading to the bottom of the seventh, FHSU rallied for two runs for the comeback win.

Casey Sedbrook started the seventh-inning rally with a single through the right side of the infield and then moved up to second on a throwing error by the pitcher on a pick off attempt. A sacrifice bunt by Nick Hammeke moved Sedbrook to third. After a walk by Jordan Miller, Gus Strunk also drew a walk, but on ball four the Bearcat catcher dropped the ball and it went all the way to the backstop, allowing Sedbrook to score on the passed ball to tie the game. With two outs and runners at first and second, Johnson delivered the clutch single to plate Miller from second for the Tiger win.

The Tigers trailed 3-0 through three and a half innings, but got a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Kodie Fewin came in to score on a ground ball double play off the bat of Nick Hammeke and the Tigers later took advantage of a Bearcat error as Clayton Garland had a RBI single.

Northwest Missouri pushed its lead out to four runs with three in the top of the sixth, but FHSU answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning, all via the long ball. Garland had a two-run homer, followed by a solo shot from Johnson to make it 6-5 in favor of NWMSU.

Ty Thomas retired the two batters he faced in relief in the top of the seventh, then Nathan Briar entered to get the final out of the inning. That set the stage for the Tiger comeback in the bottom half of the inning. Briar moved to 1-0 on the season with the win.

Austin Unrein pitched well in his start for FHSU. He went 6.0 innings and allowed six runs (just three earned) on five hits with a walk and seven strikeouts.

Jon Pomatto took the loss in relief, who entered at the start of the seventh with the one-run lead. He moved to 0-1 on the year.

Game 2: Northwest Missouri State 7, Fort Hays State 5
The Tigers had the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Jordan Miller’s looping fly ball to left field hung up too long, allowing the fielder to get under it and secure the win for Northwest Missouri State.

The Tigers were in control of the game through three innings, leading 3-0, until the Bearcats erupted for five runs in the fourth all on two outs. A walk, pair of singles, triple, and two-run home run generated the five runs turning the game around in a flash. That rally chased FHSU starter Tyler Patty from the mound, who went 3.2 innings allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks. He struck out two and took the loss, now 1-3 on the season.

The Bearcats extended their lead to 7-3 in the top of the fifth with a two-run home run off FHSU reliever Ty Thomas. Thomas pitched effectively for FHSU, going 3.0 innings with five hits allowed. Nick Hammeke got the final out of the seventh, keeping the Bearcats from rallying for any more runs.

The two-run blast in the fifth by NWMSU was too much to overcome as the Tigers could only get one in the sixth and one in the seventh. Miller provided an RBI double in the sixth and Horace Johnson led off the seventh with a solo home run.

Hondo Pearcy was the winning pitcher for Northwest Missouri, going 5.1 innings with four runs allowed on nine hits and two walks. He struck out three. Rob Henrichs relieved for 1.0 innings and allowed one run before yielding to Daulton Perry, who recorded his first save of the season by getting the final two outs of the game.

The Tigers and Bearcats conclude the four-game conference series on Sunday (Mar. 23) at Larks Park. Game time is set for 1 pm.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State split a road conference doubleheader with Central Oklahoma on Saturday in Edmond, Okla.  The Tigers won the first game, 4-1, in a late innings comeback before dropping Game 2, 9-1, in six innings.

FHSU (18-11, 8-4 MIAA) snapped UCO’s 35-game home win streak with the Game 1 victory, and is tied with Northeastern State for fourth in the conference standings.  UCO (22-8, 11-1 MIAA) moved to second in the standings with the split.

The Tigers return to Hays, Kan., next week for an eight-game homestand, beginning Tuesday (March 25) with a doubleheader against Metro State.

Game 1: FHSU 4, UCO 1
Fort Hays State scored four late inning runs to secure a comeback victory over Central Oklahoma in Game 1 of the doubleheader.

Paxton Duran (10-5) followed up a no-hitter in her last time out with a complete game performance (her third in the last four games), striking out four and scattering three hits.

Offensively, Courtney Dobson was 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored, while Rilee Krier was 2-for-3 and Kylie Strand finished 1-for-2 with a walk and a run.

UCO took a 1-0 lead in the fourth, as Brooke Zukerman homered to center field, but the lead was short lived as FHSU answered in the sixth.

In the sixth, Krier and Dobson started the inning with back-to-back singles, but havoc ensued when Amanda Vaupel grounded to third base, as Krier was out at third with UCO shortstop Hannah Justus covered, but when trying to complete the double play, Justus overthrew first base, allowing Dobson to wheel around to score and Vaupel to reach third, tying the game.  In the next at-bat, Danie Brinkmann’s sacrifice fly to right field scored Vaupel to give FHSU a 2-1 advantage.

FHSU added insurance runs in the seventh, starting with Kylie Strand’s leadoff single up the middle before taking second on Tori Beltz’s sacrifice bunt.  With one down, Kellsi Olsen walked to put runners on first and second.  Later in the inning, Krier’s bunt single loaded the bases with two outs for Dobson, who singled through the left side to plate Strand and Olsen, putting the Tigers ahead three (4-1) with one half-inning to play.

Game 2: UCO 9, FHSU 1
Fort Hays State mustered seven hits in the doubleheader finale, but couldn’t overcome a hot UCO offense that exploded for nine runs on 11 hits.

Kelsy Kinninau (7-4) took the loss, throwing 3.2 innings with five runs allowed (four earned) on six hits.  Kimminau struck out two before Katlyn Kern closed out the final 1.1 innings, allowing four runs on five hits.

Rilee Krier and Danie Brinkmann were 2-for-3 at the plate, as Krier had the Tigers lone RBI, scoring Kelli Koehhler, Kylie Strand, Callie Wright and Samantha Villarreal had the Tigers’ other hits.

UCO jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first, taking advantage of three hits and an FHSU error before tacking on one run in both the third and fourth innings.

Down 5-0 in the fifth, Villarreal led off the inning with a pinch hit single before Koehler replaced her at first base.  With one out, Koehler moved to second on Bianca Adame’s sacrifice bunt and came around to score when Krier took an 0-0 pitch into center field for an RBI single.

That was it for the Tigers, however, as UCO scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth before enacting the run-rule with a solo home run in the sixth.

 

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State baseball fell in the opening game of a four-game series with Northwest Missouri State on Friday evening (Mar. 21) by a score of 18-4. The Bearcats won the game by run rule after seven innings, moving to 13-8 overall and 9-5 in the MIAA. FHSU dropped to 5-15 overall and 4-13 in the MIAA.

Leading just 1-0 after two innings, Northwest Missouri State errupted for 12 runs in the third inning to put the game away. After a sacrifice fly scored the first run of the inning, NWMSU loaded the bases with one out and then Austin Wulff hit a grand slam to push the lead to 6-0 in a flash. A dropped fly ball later in the inning led to the last four runs of the inning being unearned.

Gus Strunk had a sacrifice fly RBI in the third to give FHSU its first run. The Tigers picked up three more runs in the bottom of the seventh, but it was too little too late as the Bearcats won by run rule. In the seventh, Austin Unrein had a two-RBI double and Strunk had another RBI on a fielder’s choice.

Steven Federau took the loss for FHSU, now 1-4. He lasted 2.1 innings and allowed nine runs (eight earned) on seven hits and two walks. Drew Martineau threw 1.0 innings, allowing six runs (one earned) on six hits. Nathan Zimmerman went the final 3.2 innings for FHSU, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with four walks and one strikeout.

Ryker Fox threw a complete game for NWMSU, moving to 4-1 for the season. He allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks and struck out five.

The teams return to Larks Park on Saturday (Mar. 22) for a doubleheader beginning at 1 pm.

FHSU Sports Information

A no-hitter from Paxton Duran and an extra innings home run from Danie Brinkmann helped the Tiger softball team to a doubleheader sweep over Northeastern State on Friday (March 21).  Fort Hays State won the first game, 1-0, in Tahlequah, Okla., before taking Game 2, 3-0, in eight innings.

FHSU (17-10, 7-3 MIAA) had 12 hits over the two games while limiting NSU (20-10, 7-3 MIAA) to just two hits.

The Tigers are back in action Saturday (March 22) in Edmond, Okla., for a doubleheader with Central Oklahoma.  First pitch in that contest is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Game 1: FHSU 1, NSU 0
Fort Hays State’s Paxton Duran (9-5) pitched her first career no-hitter, striking out seven RiverHawks and allowing just two walks and one hit batter, retiring 20 of the 23 batters she faced in seven complete innings.

Duran’s seven strikeout effort was her fifth straight game with at least five strikeouts, and two less than her career-best mark of nine (achieved earlier in the five-game streak).  Additionally, the sophomore didn’t allow a runner past first base.

At the plate, Kellsi Olsen was 2-for-2 with an RBI single and a walk, while Kylie Strand was 1-for-3 with a double. Bianca Adame and Danie Brinkmann had the Tigers’ other two hits.

After issuing a leadoff walk in the second, Duran shut down the RiverHawks’ threat with three straight strikeouts, keeping a close game scoreless until the fifth.

With one out in the fifth, Strand took the first pitch she saw into right field for a double.  Later in the inning, with two outs, Olsen took advantage of the runner in scoring position by driving a 2-0 pitch into center for an RBI single, plating Strand and giving the Tigers the lead for good.

In the bottom of the fifth, NSU would get a base runner after Allyson Pogue was hit by a pitch, but a strikeout and a pop out ended the inning.

FHSU came close to adding insurance runs in the top of the seventh as Brinkmann singled with no outs before the Tigers’ loaded the bases with two down, but couldn’t capitalize on the scoring opportunity.

Game 2: FHSU 3, NSU 0 (8 Innings)
A two-out blast from Danie Brinkmann in the eighth inning helped the Tigers to a series sweep with a 3-0 victory in Game 2.

Brinkmann was 1-for-4 with three RBI, while Courtney Dobson was 2-for-4.  All told, FHSU had seven hits in the game, with Bianca Adame Amanda Vaupel, Callie Wright and Kellsi Olsen rounding out the offense.

Kelsey Kimminau (7-3) picked up the win, tossing a complete game with five strikeouts and scattering two hits.  Kimminau has now struck out at least five batters in four games this season, and allowed just one runner to reach second base.

FHSU came close to scoring in the fifth, as Tori Beltz led off by reaching on an error by Sarharra Henson before moving to second on Olsen’s one-out single to left.  Adame drew a walk to load the bases, but the Tigers couldn’t execute as the game remained scoreless.

Tied at 0-0 after the seventh, FHSU and NSU headed to extra innings, where a two-out single from Dobson started the Tigers’ final rally.  Vaupel followed with a double to right center, putting runners on second and third for Brinkmann, who drove a pitch over the right center wall to give FHSU a 3-0 lead.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State Softball dropped a road doubleheader to Arkansas Tech on Wednesday in Russellville, Ark.  The Tigers fell in Game 1, 3-2, before losing the second contest, 8-2.

The Tigers dropped to 15-10 overall on the season while Arkansas Tech is now 10-12 overall.

FHSU continues its road trip on Friday (March 20) in Tahlequah, Okla., to face Northeastern State.

Game 1: Arkansas Tech 3, FHSU 2
Fort Hays State let an early lead slip away in the first game of the doubleheader, as Paxton Duran (8-5) threw six complete innings in the loss.  Duran struck out eight batters for the second consecutive game, allowing three runs and four hits.

Bianca Adame led the team with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate, while Kylie Strand and Courtney Dobson  had RBIs.

FHSU jumped ahead with a two-run first inning.  Rilee Krier reached on a throwing error to start the game, and took second on the overthrow.  Adame moved Krier to third on a bunt single before stealing second.  Strand grounded out to the pitcher, but picked up the RBI as Krier came home and Adame reached third.  Dobson followed with a two-out single, plating Adame.

In the third, Arkansas used a 2-run home run and three total hits to take a 3-2 lead for good.

Game 2: Arkansas Tech 8, FHSU 2
Kelsey Kimminau (6-3) threw 3.0 innings in the loss, allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts. Katlyn Kern entered in the fourth, throwing 1.2 innings and giving up five runs, though none were earned. Jordan Jones pitched the final 1.1 innings, giving up one run and two hits.

At the plate, Kylie Strand and Samantha Villarreal were 2-for-3, while Courtney Dobson had a double and Kellsi Olsen blasted a home run.

Arkansas Tech took a 1-0 lead in the first, using two hits to score a run before stretching the lead to 2-0 in the third.

FHSU cut the lead in half in the fifth, when Olsen took a two out, 3-0 pitch over the left field fence.

In the fifth, Arkansas Tech put the game out of reach with six runs on four hits – taking advantage of two Tiger errors.

In the sixth, Danie Brinkmann singled to center field with two outs before Kelli Koehler pinch ran for her.  Koehler moved to third on Strand’s single to right field, and Villarreal drove her home with a single through the left side.  That, however, was as close as the Tigers could climb.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State sophomore point guard Craig Nicholson was named to the NABC All-District First Team for the 2013-14 season, released on Wednesday (Mar. 19). Nicholson adds this honor after earning Daktronics All-Central Region First Team honors just a week ago.

Nicholson joins five other players from the Central Region on the first team, which includes Rod Camphor of Southwestern Oklahoma State (GAC Player of the Year), DeShaun Cooper of Northwest Missouri State (MIAA Player of the Year), Josh Gibbs of Central Oklahoma, Assem Marei of Minnesota State, and Zach Monaghan of Minnesota State (NSIC Player of the Year).

Nicholson finished the season averaging 17.2 points per game and 7.4 assists per game. He shot 45.5 percent from the field and 80.2 percent from the free-throw line, setting a new single-season school record for free-throws made with 190. His 7.4 assists per game also set a new single-season record at FHSU and his 222 total assists were third most in a season in FHSU history. Nicholson scored in double figures in 25 of 30 games and dished out seven or more assists in 21 games. He posted four double-doubles in points and assists. Through two seasons at FHSU, Nicholson has 904 points and 414 assists. He already ranks third on the all-time assists list at FHSU.

2013-14 NABC All-District Team (Central Region)

First Team
Rod Camphor, Southwestern Oklahoma State
Deshaun Cooper, Northwest Missouri State
Josh Gibbs, Central Oklahoma
Assem Marei, Minnesota State
Zach Monaghan, Minnesota State
Craig Nicholson, Fort Hays State

Second Team
Marquis Addison, Missouri Southern
Dillon Deck, Central Missouri
Bryton Hobbs, Northeastern State
Kellen Taylor, Winona State
Joey Woods, Upper Iowa