HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State women’s tennis team suffered a 7-0 MIAA loss to visiting Northeastern State on Monday. With the loss, the Tigers fall to 3-6 overall with an 0-4 conference mark. The RiverHawks improve to 4-6 while boasting 2-1 MIAA record.

The RiverHawks claimed all singles matches over the Tigers, starting with Tatjana Stoll claiming a 6-1, 6-1 win over Laura Jimenez-Lendinez in the No. 1 spot. At No. 2, Mayra Jovic defeated Lauren Lindell in a 6-1, 6-3 contest, while Betka Gombarova defeated Ellea Ediger 6-2, 6-0 at No. 3. Kristela Vidnere earned a 6-0, 6-2 win over Haley Weidemann with Karla Tomaic defeating Nicole Lubbers 6-0, 6-0 and Melissa Vera winning against Kimberly Stone, 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles play also went to the RiverHawks, with the 1-3 positions in favor of Northeastern State. The RiverHawk duo of Stoll and Jovic took down Lindell and Natalie Lubbers 6-1, with Betka Gombarova and Kristela VIdnere defeating FHSU’s No. 2 doubles of Nicole Lubbers and Jimenez-Lendinez, 2-6. In the final doubles contest of the day, NSU’s Emma Warnock and Tomaic defeated FHSU’s Ediger and Weidemann, 6-2.

The Tigers look ahead to two contests this upcoming weekend, starting with a Friday (March 29) match at Southwest Baptist with the first serve set for 3 p.m. On Saturday (March 30), Fort Hays State continues its Missouri road trip in St. Charles as they take on Lindenwood at 11 a.m.

HAYS, Kan. – In their first home match of the spring season, the Fort Hays State women’s tennis suffered a 6-1 loss at the hands of No. 4 Central Oklahoma in Hays. The Tigers drop to 3-5 on the season and 0-3 in MIAA play, while the Bronchos improve to 8-2 overall and a perfect 3-0 in conference battles.

In singles play, the Tigers picked up one win as Ellea Ediger claimed a 2-6, 6-4, 10-8 win over Nikki Boyer. However, Fort Hays State faltered in its other singles bouts. Laura Jimenez-Lendinez fell in a 4-6, 2-6 contest to Isabella Dunlap, while UCO’s Kirtana Bhat claimed a 1-6, 1-6 win over Lauren Lindell. Natalie Lubbers fell 3-6, 2-6 to Paola Landin. Haley Weidemann slipped in a 2-6, 0-6 loss to Alix Williams. Nicole Lubbers rounded out the singles play for FHSU as she suffered a 3-6, 2-6 loss to Jessica Le.

Doubles play went to the Bronchos as they took all three contests. The duo of Natalie Lubbers and Lindell were shutout 0-6 by Adel-Byanu Abidullina and Bhat. Nicole Lubbers and Jimenez-Lendinez were bounded 2-6 by Sarah Van Eeckhoudt and Boyar, while Ediger and Weidemann were defeated 2-6 by the Bronchos duo of Williams and Le.

The Tigers are back in action at home on Monday (March 25) at 10 am as they play host to Northeastern State.

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Fort Hays State fell in both contests at Lindenwood University on Saturday. Defensive miscues plagued the Tigers throughout the doubleheader as Lindenwood won by scores of 4-2 and 1-0, moving to 14-10 overall and 5-7 in the MIAA. FHSU moved to 12-11 overall and 5-3 in the MIAA with the losses.

Game 1: Lindenwood 4, Fort Hays State 2
Poor defensive execution led to three Lindenwood runs in a 4-2 loss to open the afternoon. Lindenwood plated three runs in the first inning, but mental mistakes aided in the last two of three to score.

Lindenwood started its half of the first inning with a triple and double to score a run, but the Tigers helped the Lions out the remainder of the inning. With one out and a runner on third, pitcher Michaelanne Nelson came home with a throw that had the runner caught in a pickle. However, while Sara Breckbill chased the Lindenwood runner back toward third, she missed the runner on a diving tag, allowing the runner to retreat safely to third. During the next at bat, Breckbill threw down to second on a steal attempt and the ball went into center field allowing the runner from third to score. The Lions went on to plate another run on a single, opening the game with a 3-0 lead.

The Tigers struggled to get baserunners into scoring position throughout the first six innings of the game. A Lily Sale single in the third was the first hit of the game for FHSU against Lindenwood starter Marina Esparza, who did not face much resistance until the seventh inning. A Katie Adler home run to open the fourth inning produced the Tigers’ first run of the game, cutting the Lindenwood lead to 3-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Lions pushed their lead back to three on another poor defensive decision by the Tigers. With runners at first and third with two outs, Breckbill opted to throw down to second on a steal attempt. The throw was well late at second base and the runner from third cruised home to easily score a run on the double steal. The batter then flew out to end the inning.

Despite the defensive miscues, the Tigers still had a shot to tie or take the lead in the seventh. Bailey Boxberger led off the inning with a home run, cutting the Lindenwood lead down to 4-2 with a tape-measure blast over the elevated center field wall. With two outs, Grace Philop and Jeni Mohr came up with timely singles and then advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. Pinch hitter Allison Jurgensen drew a walk to load the bases, but Esparza ended her brief patch of wildness by striking out Sale on three pitches to end the game.

Nelson threw a complete game for the Tigers, allowing four runs on 10 hits and a walk. She struck out two Lions and moved to 4-6 overall on the season. Esparza also went the distance for Lindenwood, moving to 2-2 on the season.

Game 2: Lindenwood 1, Fort Hays State 0
Game two of the doubleheader boiled down to a pair of Tiger errors in the third inning as Hailey Chapman took a tough-luck loss in the pitching circle.

Lindenwood pitcher Stormee Galka was a thorn in the Tigers’ side as she accounted for two of the Lions’ three hits against Chapman. She scored the game’s only run, while also throwing a complete-game shutout with 11 strikeouts and three hits allowed. Galka had a bloop single in the third inning that Tiger left fielder Megan Feiner misplayed and she motored an extra two bases on the miscue. Chapman made the pitch she needed with two outs, inducing a ground ball to shortstop Lily Sale, but Sale’s throw to first was low and Bailey Boxberger could not dig it out. Galka crossed the plate and that’s all she needed as she dominated the Tiger lineup in the circle.

Katie Adler and Boxberger were the only Tigers to find hits off Galka. Adler went 2-for-3 at the plate, while Boxberger picked up her lone hit of the game to lead off the seventh. The Tigers had runners reach first and second with one out after Galka’s only walk allowed, but Galka got a weak pop up and a ground out to end the game.

Chapman matched Galka in the hits allowed column, while striking out three. The game’s lone run was unearned. Chapman threw her sixth complete game of the season and moved to 7-5 overall.

Tiger Notes
-Katie Adler and Bailey Boxberger were the only Tigers with more than one hit in the doubleheader, Adler finishing with three and Boxberger with two.
-Besides the pair of solo home runs in the first game, FHSU had only three baserunners reach scoring position all day over 14 innings played. All three of those were in the 7th inning when the Tigers were down to their last at bat.
-Fort Hays State has been shut out in six of its 11 losses this season. The Tigers are 0-4 this year in games decided by a score of 1-0.

Up Next
Fort Hays State is back at home on Friday, March 29 when it plays host to Northeastern State in another MIAA doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 2 pm.

EMPORIA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State women’s track and field team kicked off its outdoor season at the Emporia Spring Invite on Saturday. On the day, the Tigers brought home two individual titles alongside a provisional.

Yessenia Gonzales claimed the title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:44.86. Summer Kragel capped a first place performance in the high jump with her mark of 5 feet, 5 inches. Alexcia Deutscher earned both a personal record and a provisional in the javelin with a throw of 160 feet, 2 inches, good enough for second place.

Among the first place finishes, the Tigers performed strong in all aspects of the competition. Lindsay Shupe took seventh in the 200 meters with a time of 25.47, as well as a third place finish in the 400 meters with a time of 59.58. Lyric Holman also placed high in the 400 meters, coming in sixth at 1:00.81.

In the 1,500-meters, Grace Buessing took seventh with a time of 5:04.92, alongside a ninth place finish by Averi Wilson who came in at 5:08.04. In the 5,000-meters, Abigail Stewart claimed third place with a time of 19:12.57. Rylea Oliver gave the Tigers another top-ten finish by coming in sixth place in the 3,000-meters steeplechase at 12:42.75.

Heading to track events, Haley Jones took fourth place in the high jump at 5 feet, 1 inch. Rohey Singhateh got her outdoor season off on a strong start following a fourth place finish in the long jump at 18 feet, ¼ inch. Singhateh also took home a third place finish in the triple jump with her distance of 38 feet, 4 ¼ inches. Kayla Smith rounded out the top-ten finishes in the triple jump with her jump of 36 feet, 5 inches.

Laurel Haley claimed ninth place in the discus with her throw of 141 feet, 6 inches. In the hammer throw, Julia Wagner achieved an eighth place finish with a throw of 145 feet, 2 inches.

The Tigers will be back on the track for their lone home meet of the season. The Alex Francis Classic will be held in Hays on Friday (March 29).

EMPORIA, Kan. – Outdoor season is upon us as the Fort Hays State men’s track and field team welcomed the season at the Emporia Spring Invite. The Tigers competed in the event, held Saturday, and had a strong showing to kick start the season.

Kolt Newell led the way for Fort Hays State following a first place finish in the high jump. Newell performed a 6 foot, 8 ¾ inches jump to also give him an NCAA provisional.

Alongside Newell’s provisional, the Tigers boasted strong showings throughout the event. Robbie Schmidt placed third in his first time competing in the steeplechase with a time of 10:00.21. Justin Moore claimed a personal record in the 5,000-meters with a time of 14:59.8.

Philip Landrum took third in the 200 meters with a time of 21.69, followed closely by Malcom Gardner coming in sixth place at 22.06. The two also placed in 13th and 11th in the 400 meters.

Behind Schmidt in the steeplechase, three other Tigers placed in the top-ten. Peter Franklin crossed the line in fourth at 10:07.62, with Robert Loeffler in fifth at 10:13.06 and Christopher Nemechek rounding out the places with ninth with a mark of 10:42.73.

Heading to field events, Lucas Broxterman finished at the heels of Newell as he came in third place in the high jump at 6 feet, 4 3/4 . In the pole vault, Mark Faber finished in fourth at 15 feet, 1 inches and Ryan Stanely took seventh with a mark of 14 feet, 7 ¼ inches. Broxterman also claimed third in the long jump at 22 feet, 5 ¼ inches.

Jacob Gaughan took sixth in the discus with a throw of 161 feet, 7 inches. Cameroun Fouts finished out the strong performances on the day with a ninth place finish in the javelin at 179 feet, 9 inches.

Among other performances this week, FHSU sent a handful of multi athletes to Wichita State. Matthew Pieper led the way at that meet, claiming second in the decathlon after completing the event with 6,167 points.

The Tigers are back on the track on Friday (March 29) for their lone home meet in the Alex Francis Classic in Hays.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State received big performances from Hailey Chapman and Elise Capra in a doubleheader sweep of Lincoln University Friday afternoon. Chapman struck out 19 batters in 11.2 innings of work over two games, while Capra drove home six of seven runs in game two. FHSU moved to 12-9 overall, 5-1 in the MIAA, while Lincoln dropped to 4-22 overall, 1-9 in the MIAA.

Game 1: Fort Hays State 4, Lincoln 2
Despite giving up two runs, Hailey Chapman turned in a great effort in the pitching circle by striking out a career-high 14 batters. It was her fifth complete-game performance of the season and she moved to 6-4 on the season in a 4-2 win.

The difference in the game was a bases clearing, 3-RBI double by Sierra Rodriguez in the first inning that put the Tigers up 3-0. Rodriguez was one of five Tigers to record a hit in the game.

Chapman surrendered single runs in the second and sixth innings. FHSU pushed its lead back to three runs in the fourth when Elise Capra crossed the plate on a wild pitch before the gap moved back to two after six innings.

Chapman had a pair of three-strikeout innings (first and third inning), along with four innings where she struck out two. The fourth inning was the only inning in which she did not record a strikeout. Chapman allowed six hits and one walk in the contest.

Hannah Hennessey took the loss for Lincoln in the pitching circle, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and five walks. She struck out five. Hennessey moved to 2-11 on the season.

Game 2: Fort Hays State 7, Lincoln 6
Fort Hays State produced a comeback win in game two of the doubleheader thanks to the bat of Elise Capra, who went 4-for-4 in the game with a pair of singles, a double, and a home run. Capra produced six RBIs in the game, helping push the Tigers past the Blue Tigers and avoid a split.

Lincoln’s offense clicked early by scoring two runs in each of the first two innings, building a 4-1 lead in the process. Lincoln went up 2-0 after one inning, thanks to a two-out, two-RBI single by Gabi McGinty.

Jeni Mohr trimmed the Lincoln lead in half in the top of the second by producing a sacrifice fly RBI with the bases loaded. Unfortunately, the Tigers could not push any more runs across in the inning. They saw Lincoln’s lead grow after two innings when another two-RBI hit, this time by Jordan Lawson, pushed the lead to three at 4-1.

Capra, who already recorded a single in the second to help get the bases loaded, began her damage against the Blue Tigers in the third. Lincoln committed a pair of errors in the third that loaded the bases. Capra made the Blue Tigers pay by hitting a bases-clearing double to tie the game at 4-4.

Lincoln moved back in front 5-4 in the bottom of the third on an RBI single. The first two FHSU pitchers of the game, Megan Jamison and Sierra Rodriguez, were unable to get through more than 2.1 innings of play. At that point, head coach Adrian Pilkington turned the ball back over to Hailey Chapman, who went the remaining 4.2 innings in the circle and limited Lincoln to just one run. Jamison started the game and allowed four runs on four hits and two walks in 1.1 innings, while Rodriguez relieved for 1.0 innings and allowed one run on three hits.

Chapman shut the door on Lincoln scoring any more runs over her first 3.1 innings of work, allowing Capra’s bat to push the Tigers into the lead. In the fifth, Capra sent a ball over the left field wall for her fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot, which pushed the Tigers into the lead for the first time in the game, 6-5. Capra added an insurance run in the sixth with a bases-loaded RBI single, pushing the Tiger lead to 7-5. The Blue Tigers finally picked up a run against Chapman in the sixth to make the score 7-6, but they failed to capitalize on their leadoff batter reaching second base with no outs in the seventh. Chapman got a pair of fly outs surrounding a strikeout to end the threat and give the Tigers a doubleheader sweep.

Chapman allowed one run on five hits and struck out five to pick up her second win of the afternoon. She moved to 7-4 on the season.

Shannon Greene threw all seven innings for Lincoln, allowing seven runs (four earned) on 12 hits and a walk. She struck out two. Greene moved to 2-9 on the season.

Tiger Notes
-Fort Hays State had two bases-clearing 3-RBI doubles on the afternoon, one by Sierra Rodriguez and the other by Elise Capra in separate games.
-Chapman averaged 1.63 strikeouts per inning on the day, which translates to 11.4 per seven innings. She fanned 19 in 11.2 innings of work.
-Chapman threw her team-leading fifth complete game of the season in the pitching circle in Game 1.
-Chapman set a new career high for strikeouts in a game with 14 in Game 1, passing her previous record of 12 set last season.
-Elise Capra went 5-for-6 at the plate on the day and now leads the team in batting average for the season at .415.
-Sara Breckbill reached base five times on the day, including all four at bats of game two, and scored four runs in the doubleheader.

Up Next
Fort Hays State heads to St. Charles, Missouri for a conference doubleheader with Lindenwood University on Saturday (Mar. 23) at 12 pm. Live video and live stats will be available for the contests.

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader against Northeastern State Friday evening. The Tigers (2-21, 2-13 MIAA) collected nine hits in a 12-3 loss in game one before picking up two hits in an 11-1 loss in the nightcap. The RiverHawks move to 7-21 overall and 5-10 in MIAA play after the sweep.

The Tigers are scheduled to return to Larks Park for four games next week, beginning with a midweek contest against Northwestern Oklahoma State on Wednesday (Marc 27) followed by a three-game set against Lindenwood Friday-Sunday (March 29-31).

Game One: Northeastern State 12, Fort Hays State 3
The Tigers were playing from behind for the majority of the afternoon after NSU struck for eight unearned runs in the first inning. FHSU pushed across three runs in the top of the fifth when Jared Maneth and Ryan Grasser drew back-to-back bases loaded walks. Caleb Egan came in as a pinch hitter and drove in the third run with an infield single, closing the gap to 9-3 through 4.5 innings.

Landon Erway and Jared Haynes collected two hits each, with both scoring one run. Ethan Booe (0-5) was credited with the loss after allowing eight unearned runs on five hits over three innings of work. Cody Rottinghaus tossed 3.2 scoreless innings of relief, striking out five and allowing just one hit.

Game Two: Northeastern State 11, Fort Hays State 1
Fort Hays State struggled to get the bats going in game two, with the Tigers totaling just two hits in the contest. Northeastern State pitchers also issued five walks in the contest, but FHSU was unable to take advantage with runners on base.

The RiverHawks scored two runs in the second, two in the third and two in the fourth to take a 6-0 lead into the fifth inning. Ryan Stoecklein led off the top of the fifth with a single through the right side before moving to third on Tyler Olson’s double. Stoecklein then came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Marcus Altman, trimming the deficit to 6-1.

Jake Steinbring (0-1) took the loss after allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out three over four innings of work. Tanner Smith struck out two and allowed an unearned run in 1.1 innings of relief.

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Fort Hays State baseball dropped their series opener with Northeastern State on Thursday (March 21), 4-3. The Tigers dipped to 2-19 overall and 2-11 in MIAA play as the RiverHawks moved to 5-21 on the season and 3-10 in conference action.

Landon Erway produced three hits in the contest for the Tigers, as his first came in the opening frame on a single up the middle. Erway wrapped around to third base after Kyler Cox delivered a sacrifice bunt and a RiverHawk wild pitch. The Tigers stranded him at third and couldn’t capitalize. Northeastern State scored in the first on an RBI single to left center, taking a 1-0 lead after one frame.

The Tigers fell victim to another RiverHawk run in the second after allowing an RBI double to right center, trailing Northeastern State 2-0 after two innings. NSU put up another two runs in the fourth to take a 4-0 lead into the fifth.

Erway then roped a double to right center, plating Garrett Francis from first and putting the Tigers on the scoreboard. FHSU trailed NSU 4-1 after six innings.

FHSU was able to get two runs back in the top of the seventh after Ryan Grasser earned a spot on first when he was beaned with a pitch. Jared Haynes delivered a pinch hit single to right field, pushing Grasser to second. Both runners moved up a base after a wild pitch from RiverHawk starter Jonathan Smithey. Garrett Francis then placed a 2 RBI single into right field, scoring Grasser and Haynes to cut the RiverHawk lead to one, 4-3.

Tiger reliever Ryan Brown shut down the RiverHawks in the eighth, setting up a potential comeback bid in the ninth. In the top of the ninth, Grasser earned his second walk of the contest and advanced to second on a wild pitch. However, Grasser was clipped at third on a steal attempt leaving the bases empty. Jared Maneth then walked and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Francis. Erway stranded Maneth at second after ending the game with a strikeout.

Ryan Ruder (1-4) was charged with the loss for the Tigers after allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits across six innings of work. Ruder earned six strikeouts on the day. Brown came on in relief and tossed two scoreless frames, only allowing one hit.

The Tigers and RiverHawks will lace them up again for game two on Friday (March 22) with first pitch at 2 p.m. from Thomas C. Rousey field.

OWASSO, Okla. – The Fort Hays State men’s golf team resumed their 2018-19 wrap-around season this week with an 11th place finish at the fourth annual Hillcat Classic (March 18-19) hosted by Rogers State. The tournament was held at the Bailey Ranch Golf Club, with a par-71, 6,670-yard setup in the first two rounds and a par-71, 6,639-yard setup in round three.

Mac McNish led the Tiger attack after carding rounds of 78, 79, and 76 (233) on his way to a tie for 36th individually. McNish posted three birdies for the tournament. Bryce Cowan placed solo 52nd after posting rounds of 83, 79 and 85. Connor Schultz shot rounds of 83, 81 and 86 to finish in a tie for 53rd. Schultz posted two birdies for the week. Isaiah Grover fired off a first-round 81 before finishing the tournament with identical 85’s in the final two rounds. Grover fired three birdies and an eagle in the tournament. Marcus Willey shot rounds of 95, 90 and 88.

Rogers State took the team title with an aggregate score of 879. Lubbock Christian finished second with a score of 881 and Texas A&M International (884) placed third. Parker Holekamp of Texas A&M International claimed the individual title after posting a 2-over (215) score for the tournament, after defeating Tucker Tovar (Arkansas-Fort Smith) and Luke Palmowski (Rogers State) in a playoff.

The Tigers are back at it next week when they travel to Wichita, Kan. to compete in the Rockhurst Invitational (March 25-26), hosted at Crestview Country Club.

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State picked up a split of an MIAA doubleheader with Pittsburg State on Monday (Mar. 18) at Tiger Stadium. After falling 1-0 in the first game, FHSU rallied for three runs in the final inning of game two and won on a walk-off RBI single by Grace Philop. FHSU moved to 10-9 overall and 3-1 in the MIAA.

Game 1: Pittsburg State 1, Fort Hays State 0
Fort Hays State had a tough time solving Pittsburg State starting pitcher Halle Brin in the first game of the day. Bailey Boxberger was the only Tiger to muster a hit off Brin, a double in the fourth inning.

The lone run of the game came on back-to-back doubles by the Gorillas in the fifth by Keelah Griffith and Dru Collins. Michaelanne Nelson surrendered the run after throwing four shutout innings prior. Nelson recorded one out in the fifth before turning the ball over to Hailey Chapman, who held the Gorillas scoreless over the final 2.2 innings. Nelson had three strikeouts in the game, while Chapman had two.

Brin finished with four strikeouts in her compete-game effort for PSU. She allowed only one walk.

Game 2: Fort Hays State 9, Pittsburg State 8
Runs were hard to come by in game one, but the second game had plenty of offensive fireworks as the Tigers rallied back from an 8-6 deficit in the bottom of the seventh to win 9-8.

Pittsburg State jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the first, but the Tigers finally broke through on the scoreboard for the first time with a big six-run second inning. Jeni Mohr and Sierra Rodriguez combined for the first run with back-to-back doubles. Terran Caldwell knotted the game at 2-2 with a clutch two-out RBI single. Three batters later, Sara Breckbill unloaded the bases with a two-RBI single. A third run came in on the play due to an error and pushed the Tigers in front 5-2. Bailey Boxberger extended the lead further with another RBI single.

The Gorillas steadily mounted a comeback, scoring two in the third, one in the fifth, two in the sixth, and one in the seventh. PSU took the lead back in the sixth, 7-6, with an RBI single and RBI double. They added on to the lead in the seventh with a sacrifice fly.

After struggling to solve Halle Brin in game one, the Tigers broke through against her in the seventh inning of game two. Elise Capra started the rally with a smash-shot base hit off the third baseman’s glove. Mohr then immediately tied the game when she had a hit fall in front of the diving right fielder. Selling out for the ball was a mistake by the PSU player, allowing the ball to get all the way to the right field wall. Mohr motored all the way around to score, earning an inside-the-park two-run homer. Lily Sale and Caldwell each reached base moments later and then Grace Philop delivered the clutch two-out RBI single to left field that plated Sale from second.

Brin took the loss for PSU in 2.1 innings of relief work. Michaelanne Nelson was able to break even on the day record-wise in the circle, grabbing the win after throwing 1.1 innings of relief. Nelson is now 4-5 overall on the year. Hailey Chapman started the game for FHSU and went five innings. She allowed five runs on eight hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Sierra Rodriguez threw 0.2 innings of relief, allowing two runs before turning the ball over to Nelson. PSU starter Shelby Smith allowed six runs (five earned) to the Tigers in 4.1 innings.

Up Next
Fort Hays State hits the road for a pair of conference series this coming weekend. The Tigers take on Lincoln at 1 pm on Friday (Mar. 22) before traveling to Lindenwood on Saturday to play at 12 pm.

JOPLIN, Mo. – Fort Hays State baseball fell short of their comeback bid against No. 19 ranked Missouri Southern on Sunday (March 17), 7-4, after stranding three runners in the bottom of the ninth frame. The Tigers dipped to 2-18 on the season and 2-10 in MIAA play, while the Lions moved to 18-6 overall and 10-2 in conference action.

For the first time in the series, neither team was able to plate a run in the first two innings of the contest as both pitchers combined to allow only three hits and nobody making it past second base.

Also for the first time this weekend, FHSU put up the first run on the scoreboard in the third frame as Dawson Sramek led off with a single up the middle. Landon Erway pushed Sramek to second with a sacrifice bunt attempt. Kyler Cox walked, and Taylan Mullins-Ohm reached first on a fielder’s choice, advancing Sramek to third. Cody Starkel then roped his first RBI single down the right field line, scoring Sramek for the 1-0 lead early in the contest.

Tiger starter Ethan Booe gave up a timely 3 RBI double to left center in the next inning, giving the Lions the 3-1 advantage. However, FHSU was able to get a run back in the home half as Sramek line an RBI single to center, scoring Marcus McDaniel. FHSU trailed 3-2 after four frames. Both pitching staffs shut down any offensive production in the fifth frame before MSSU added a run in the sixth on a solo shot to left field, edging the Tigers 4-2 after six innings of play.

FHSU attempted to utilize a MSSU error in the home half of the sixth to their advantage but couldn’t capitalize as they stranded two men on base.

The Lions earned two more runs in the seventh off Tiger relievers Cole Zimmerman and Jake Steinbring. Steinbring then settled down in the eight inning picking up a strikeout and two ground outs to go to the ninth frame, trailing MSSU 6-2.

Steinbring was chased in the ninth after allowing the bases to become juiced. Tanner Smith came on the mound next for the Tigers, limiting the damage to just one run after hitting a batter for a bases loaded RBI.

The Tigers gave everything they could in the final stretch of the game as Jared Haynes earned a pinch-hit walk to begin the inning. Sramek then reached on a fielder’s choice. Landon Erway then single the very next batter, putting runners on first and second. A wild pitch allowed both Erway and Sramek to advance one base. Marcus Altman pinch hit and earned an RBI groundout to third base, scoring Sramek. Taylan Mullins-Ohm walked, then Cody Starkel provided an RBI single through the left side, plating Erway. The Tigers were able to load the bases but were unsuccessful in taking advantage as they stranded all three on base, ending the contest.

Tiger starter Ethan Booe allowed four runs on five hits in six innings of work, striking out five batters on the afternoon. Zimmerman allowed two runs on two hits in 0.1 innings of relief, before Steinbring allowed one run on three hits in 2.0 innings out of the bullpen. Tanner Smith pitched 0.2 of an inning in the ninth, shutting the Lions down in the process, with one strikeout.

FHSU will be back in action next weekend as they take on Northeastern State on the road in Tahlequah for a true road series (March 22-24). First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 2 p.m. from Thomas C. Rousey field.

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State Softball had a good start to MIAA play on Sunday afternoon (Mar. 17) with a pair of wins over Missouri Southern at Tiger Stadium. FHSU took game one 8-4 and then secured the doubleheader sweep with an 8-2 win in the second contest. FHSU moved to 9-8 overall, 2-0 in the MIAA, while MSSU went to 8-9 overall, 1-3 in the MIAA.

Game 1: Fort Hays State 8, Missouri Southern 4
The Tigers put game one away early with a pair of runs in the first and four in the second to build a 6-0 lead through two innings. Sara Breckbill picked up two RBI on her double down the right field line in the first, knocking in Terran Caldwell and Katie Adler. In the second, Grace Philop knocked in a pair of runs on a single with the bases loaded. Breckbill loaded the bases again with a single, then Bailey Boxberger and Allison Jurgensen picked up one RBI each by drawing walks to force runs across.

Missouri Southern plated single runs in the third and fifth with RBI singles, but FHSU extended its lead back to six runs in the sixth with a sacrifice fly RBI by Boxberger and an RBI single by Jurgensen. Missouri Southern had a pair of unearned runs cross the plate in the seventh, benefitting from a Tiger error to open the inning, but it was too little, too late.

Michaelanne Nelson picked up the win for FHSU by going 4.0 innings in the circle, moving to 3-4 on the season. She allowed four hits and a walk, while striking out four. Megan Jamison logged two innings and allowed three runs (one earned) before turning the ball over to Hailey Chapman for the final three outs.

Game 2: Fort Hays State 8, Missouri Southern 2
The second game was very similar to the first in the pattern of runs scored. FHSU scored the first six runs of the game before MSSU countered with two, and then FHSU pushed the lead back to six with a pair of runs late.

The Tigers scored four in the first inning, thanks to a two-RBI double by Bailey Boxberger and then a two-run homer by Elise Capra. It was the third home run of the season for Capra, a laser shot over the left field wall.

In the fourth, Terran Caldwell picked up an RBI by drawing a bases-loaded walk. Katie Adler followed with an infield RBI single by deflected off a diving shortstop’s glove.

A two-run double was all Missouri Southern could counter with against Hailey Chapman, who threw well in a complete-game effort. Chapman allowed only three hits and struck out eight, moving to 5-4 on the season.

FHSU pushed the lead back to six in the sixth when Lily Sale had an RBI triple and Terran Caldwell knocked her in on a ground out.

Tiger Notes
-Elise Capra was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate in Game 2.
-Bailey Boxberger led the Tigers in RBIs for the day with 4.
-At least six Tiger batters had two RBIs on the day.
-The Tiger pitching staff produced a solid 1.00 WHIP in the doubleheader.
-Hailey Chapman threw her fourth complete game of the season.

Up Next
Fort Hays State hosts Pittsburg State in another MIAA doubleheader on Monday (Mar. 18). Start time is 12 pm at Tiger Stadium in Hays.