The Fort Hays State softball team took a pair from Missouri Southern on Senior Day at Tiger Stadium in Hays. Maddie Holub allowed just one hit in a 1-0 game one win, and the Tigers used a strong fourth inning for an 8-3 game two victory. The Tigers won all four games this weekend, finishing the regular season 29-17 (13-7 MIAA).
Game 1: Fort Hays State 1, Missouri Southern 0
Maddie Holub tossed a one-hit complete game in game one of the doubleheader. Holub, who just tied her own single game strikeout record yesterday with 16 against Pittsburg State, held the Lions hitless in the first 5.2 innings before MSSU hit a single right back at Holub in the sixth inning. It was one of just two base runners for MSSU all game (one walk). The junior from Hays fanned 15 Lion batters, including seven consecutive.
The Tigers tallied their one run in the second inning as senior Adriana Wortley scored from third base on a MSSU wild pitch.
Wortley was a perfect 3-for-3 in game one with two singles and the double.
Game 2: Fort Hays State 8, Missouri Southern 3
After going up 3-2, FHSU put up four runs in the fourth to pull away from MSSU. With runners on second and third, senior Taylor Nelson’s RBI single scored two Tiger runs. The Tigers totaled two more runs in the inning on a fielding error by the Lions’ rightfielder, doubling the FHSU advantage to 7-3.
Nelson added her third RBI of game two on a single in the fifth, scoring Kellsi Olsen from second.
The Tigers started game two strong with two runs in the first inning. Holub singled to center field, bringing home Nelson, and Amanda Vaupel brought home Holub with a RBI double to right.
In the third inning, Holub hit a solo home run, her team-leading seventh of the season to give the Tigers a 3-2 lead after three innings.
FHSU takes on Pittsburg State on Thursday (April 26) in the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City, Kan. First pitch is scheduled for 6pm
Nash Smith triggered a 5-run 7th inning in FHSU's 11-4 game two win against Southwest Baptist Saturday in Bolivar, Mo.
The Fort Hays State baseball teamed earns a Saturday split with Southwest Baptist, taking three of the four games in the weekend series in Bolivar, Mo. The Tigers drop the first game 6-3, but bounce back to win the second contest 11-4. Fort Hays State moves to 22-19 overall and 19-16 in the MIAA.
Game 1: Southwest Baptist 6, Fort Hays State 3
The Tigers fell in a hole early that they could not recover from as SBU scored five runs on five hits in the first to take a 5-0 lead. That would be enough offense for the Bearcats in the seven-inning affair.
SBU scored one in the third to make it 6-0 before FHSU finally broke through with a pair of runs in the fourth on an RBI triple by Ryan Busboom followed by an RBI single by Mace Krol. FHSU added its final run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly RBI from Sheldon Howell.
Jesse Hart took the loss for the Tigers, lasting 4 1/3 innings in his start. All six runs he allowed were earned, allowing nine hits and two walks with no strikeouts. It was the first loss of the year for Hart, now at 3-1.
Dustin Caplette picked up the win for SBU, allowing just three hits in five innings of work. Both runs he allowed were earned. He walked three and struck out three.
Game 2: Fort Hays State 11, Southwest Baptist 4
Fort Hays State took a 2-0 lead in the third inning with an RBI single from Sheldon Howell and a sacrifice fly RBI by JC Ochoa. The Tigers would hold the lead the remainder of the game, even though they did not score again till the seventh inning when they errupted for five runs.
Andy Lewton gave the Tigers a solid starting effort, lasting 6 innings. He held the Bearcats scoreless through four innings on just one hit before surrendering his first run in the fifth on an RBI single. He allowed a walk and RBI double in the seventh before leaving the game with a 7-2 advantage. Lewton finished with four hits allowed, four walks, and six strikeouts.
Kyle Leroy pitched 3 innings of relief to grab his second save of the season. He allowed two runs on five hits with three strikeouts. Both runs allowed came in the ninth after the Tigers scored four more times in the eighth to push their lead to 11-2.
Nash Smith triggered the rally in the seventh with a two-run home run. The Tigers loaded the bases after that, then Mace Krol and Brandon Hoefler had back-to-back RBI singles. Brett Macari was hit by a pitch to generate the last run of the inning.
FHSU struck for four more in the eighth with a pair of two-RBI singles from Ryan Busboom and Hoefler.
Fort Hays State finishes the regular season with seven home games beginning Tuesday against Bethany College. they will host Wayne State Saturday and Sunday then close out the season with a four-game conference series with second-place Missouri Western the following weekend.
Kellsi Olsen's two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the 7th lifted FHSU to a 7-5 win in game two of their doubleheader and sweep of Pittsburg State Saturday at Tigers Stadium.
For the first time since March 24, the Fort Hays State softball team sweeps a conference doubleheader. The Tigers get 16 strikeouts from Maddie Holub in a 5-1 game one win. Fort Hays State rallies for three in the bottom of the seventh on game two and win 7-5 on Kellsi Olsen’s walkoff two-run homer. With the two victories, the Tigers secured third place in the MIAA, upping their record to 11-7 in the MIAA and 27-17 overall.
Maddie Holub,, who pitched the fifth no-hitter in program history in her last start against NWMSU on Tuesday, was impressive again in the circle for FHSU. Holub tied her own school record, recording 16 strikeouts, which matches the 16 strikeouts she had against UNK in the first game of the season. Holub, a junior from Hays, started strong, fanning the first five batters she faced. Fourteen of the first 15 outs were via the strikeout, and Holub struck out the side in four of the first five innings.
The Tiger offense got on the board in the second inning as Madison Putman’s infield single allowed Amanda Vaupel to score for a 1-0 lead.
After allowing one run in the top of the fifth, FHSU scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to regain the lead at 4-1. After a PSU error allowed Taylor Nelson to score, Holub homered to right field to give the Tigers a 3-1 advantage. FHSU scored their third run of the inning on another Gorilla error.
Nelson hit a solo home run in the sixth for the 5-1 final score.
Holub went the complete seven innings in game one, allowing the one run on five hits while striking out 16.
Kelssi Olsen’s walk-off two-run home run gave the Tigers the victory in the nightcap of the doubleheader. The Tigers went into the seventh down 5-4 and recorded outs in their first two at bats. The two out rally started with an Amanda Vaupel home run to left field to tie the score at 5-5. After a Chelsey Rottinghaus single up the middle, Olsen knocked the first pitch she saw over the left field fence, lifting FHSU to the 7-5 win.
The Tigers pulled out to a 3-0 advantage after two innings. Adrian Wortley’s sac fly scored Taylor Nelson in the first and Nelson brought home two in the second on a triple down the right field line.
Pitt State took the lead with back-to-back two run innings in the fourth and fifth, however, the Tigers tied the score at 4-4 in the fifth on a Vaupel sac fly, scoring Holub from third. The Gorillas scored one in the sixth to take the lead, 5-4, before the Tiger seventh inning rally.
Abby Morrison picked up the win in game two, going the final 2 1/3 innings and allowing one run on three hits. Holub started game two and pitched the first three innings, allowing one hit and striking out three. Kaitlyn Shattleroe pitched 1 2/3 innings and gave up four runs on five hits.
Nelson hit for the cycle in the two-game series. She had a homer and a double in game one, and totaled one triple and two singles in game two. The senior second baseman was 5-of-7 on the day with three RBI.
The Tigers welcome Missouri Southern to Hays Sunday for senior day in FHSU’s regular season finale. The twinbill starts at 1pm at Tiger Stadium.
Alex Ellison allows three runs over eight innings in FHSU's 5-3 win in game two at Southwest Baptist Friday afternoon in Bolivar, Mo.
The Fort Hays State baseball team claimed a pair of crucial victories at Southwest Baptist on Friday afternoon by scores of 4-1 and 5-3. Solid starts by Shawn Lewick and Alex Ellison coupled with Brett Macari to close out both games proved to be the winning combination for the Tigers in the first two games of the weekend series. FHSU improved to 21-18 overall and 18-15 in the MIAA with the wins.
Game 1: Fort Hays State 4, Southwest Baptist 1
FHSU starting pitcher Shawn Lewick and SBU starter Tyler Burnett were locked in a pitcher’s dual through the first three innings, with Lewick surrendering the only hit of the game to that point.
However, Burnett finally ran into trouble in the fourth as a Ryan Busboom double, the first hit of the game for FHSU, would lead to an RBI single by Mace Krol to put FHSU up 1-0. FHSU eventually loaded the bases with two outs in the inning, but could not push any more runs across.
FHSU went back to work at the plate in the fifth, scoring three runs. A pair of singles by Sheldon Howell and JC Ochoa and a Busboom walk set up a two-RBI single by Brandon Hoefler. The Tigers would load the bases again and Jay Sanders drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 4-0.
That would be plenty for Lewick, as he surrendered just one run in 6.1 innings. He allowed six hits and walked just one with six strikeouts.
After Lewick retired the first batter of the seventh inning, he allowed back-to-back singles. Brett Macari came in and immediately slammed the door on the rally by inducing a ground ball double play to end the game. Macari recorded his fifth save of the season.
Game 2: Fort Hays State 5, Southwest Baptist 3
The Tigers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on back-to-back RBI singles by Ryan Busboom and Mace Krol in the first inning. The lead grew to 3-0 in the top of the third on an RBI double by Mace Krol, knocking in Sheldon Howell who doubled to start the inning.
FHSU starter Alex Ellison held the Bearcats scoreless in the first two innings, but finally surrendered a run in the third and a pair in the fourth, which tied the game up at 3-3.
Ellison and SBU starter Mike Nielebeck settled in after allowing the early runs to each give their teams 8.0 innings. However, the Tigers finally got to Nielebeck again in the eighth rallying with two outs in the inning. A Ryan Busboom double led to an RBI single by Krol and then an RBI double by Brandon Hoefler. Ellison worked around a leadoff double by the Bearcats in the eighth to keep the score at 5-3 heading to the ninth.
Brett Macari entered to slam the door on the Bearcats once again for his sixth save of the season. He allowed just one hit in the ninth with two outs before getting a pop out to end the game.
The Tigers jumped back over Missouri Southern in the MIAA standings on Friday with the pair of wins and now sits just a half-game back of Emporia State and Washburn for third place.
Sheldon Howell had three hits and drove in four in Fort Hays State's 12-8 win over Nebraska-Kearney Tuesday at Larks Park.
For the first time since winning their season opener at West Texas A&M back on February 24th, the Fort Hays State baseball team is above .500. The Tigers moved to 19-18 with a 12-8 win over Nebraska-Kearney in non-conference play on Tuesday evening at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. THe Tigers head to Bolivar, Mo. for a four-game MIAA series with Southwest Baptist starting with a doubleheader Friday.
FHSU jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two innings. JC Ochoa had an RBI single, then later scored from second on a failed pick off attempt by UNK starter Ross Mortensen that went into center field. Sheldon Howell had an RBI double in the second inning.
Starter Tyler Treinen did not allow a hit to his first seven batters faced. He ran into some trouble in the third though. After retiring the first batter of the inning, Treinen hit two and allowed a single over the next three batters to load the bases. He picked up the second out before allowing a wild pitch, then a pair of singles that tied the game. Tayler Davis entered in relief to get the final out of the inning and keep the game tied.
FHSU took the lead back briefly in the bottom of the third on a Luke Kordsmeier RBI single, his first RBI this year that was not on a home run. However, Kearney struck again for two runs against Davis in the fourth to take a 5-4 lead. That would be the only lead of the night held by UNK.
Mace Krol delivered a big blow for the Tigers in the bottom of the fourth with a grand slam, his ninth home run of the season and second consecutive that was a grand slam. He had a grand slam against Truman this past weekend on Saturday. The Tigers went up 8-5 on his shot to right field over the scoreboard. It was the fourth grand slam hit by the Tigers this season.
The Lopers cut back into the lead with a pair of runs in the fifth to make it 8-7. Tayler Davis was responsible for the first run, but FHSU held on to the lead from that point on, so he picked up his first win of the season. Sam Thornton and Casey Pierce picked up the three outs in the fifth to preserve the win opportunity for Davis.
FHSU added a run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly RBI by Brett Macari. He and Kyle Leroy would be instrumental in holding the Lopers at bay the rest of the way.
Leroy pitched the sixth and seventh innings, allowing one run in the Lopers in the seventh. He got a ground ball double play in the seventh to limit the Lopers to just one run with a bases-loaded, no-out situation.
FHSU picked up a pair of runs in the seventh on a Howell 2-RBI double down the left field line before turning to closer Brett Macari in the eighth and ninth. Macari did not allow a hit and struck out two over the final two innings to record his fourth save of the season. FHSU scored once more in the eighth when Howell was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
The Tigers are currently in sixth place in the MIAA standings at 16-15 entering the four-game series at Southwest Baptist this weekend, but just a half game back of Missouri Southern for fifth and one and a half games back of Washburn and Emporia State for third.
Fort Hays State carded a final-round team score of 331 to finish at 664 (+88) and claim the MIAA Centennial Women’s Golf Championship by one shot over Missouri Western (665, +89) Tuesday at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex. Fort Hays State was led by Jordan Nixon, who finished in fourth place with a two-round total of 162 (+18) to earn a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
This is the third conference championship for women’s golf at Fort Hays State after winning both the regular season and tournament championship in its final year as members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 2008-09.
Northwest Missouri’s Cassie Lowell was the individual medalist, firing back-to-back rounds of 76 to finish with a total score of 152 (+8), eight strokes clear of runner-up Natalie Bird of Missouri Western (160, +16). Lowell, Bird and Nixon were joined on the All-Tournament Team by MIAA Freshman of the Year Steph Charteris of Northwest Missouri, Payton Schooler of Lincoln, and Carmen Thompson of Fort Hays State.
Lincoln’s Shea Colley recorded a hole-in-one Tuesday afternoon, acing the par-3 15th on “The Posse” course.
Northwest Missouri finished in third place with a team score of 667 (+91), Lincoln placed fourth at 680 (+104), and Truman took fifth with a score of 700 (+124).
Team Standings
1. Fort Hays State – 333-331=664 (+88)
2. Missouri Western – 336-329=665 (+89)
3. Northwest Missouri – 338-329=667 (+91)
4. Lincoln – 348-332=680 (+104)
5. Truman – 362-338=700 (+124)
Individual Standings
1. Cassie Lowell, Northwest Missouri – 76-76=152 (+8)
2. Natalie Bird, Missouri Western – 79-81=160 (+16)
3. Steph Charteris, Northwest Missouri – 81-80=161 (+17)
4. Jordan Nixon, Fort Hays State – 81-81=162 (+18)
T5. Payton Schooler, Lincoln – 87-79=166 (+22)
T5. Carmen Thompson, Fort Hays State – 86-80=166 (+22)
All-Tournament Team
Cassie Lowell, Northwest Missouri
Natalie Bird, Missouri Western
Steph Charteris, Northwest Missouri
Jordan Nixon, Fort Hays State
Payton Schooler, Lincoln
Carmen Thompson, Fort Hays State
Freshman of the Year: Steph Charteris, Northwest Missouri
Coach of the Year: Pat McLaughlin, Northwest Missouri
The Fort Hays State softball team picked up a conference series split for the second straight day on Tuesday against Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Mo. Maddie Holub pitched the fifth no-hitter in program history as the Tigers knocked of Northwest 1-0 in the first game, but the Bearcats rebounded and took a 12-4 run-rule victory after five innings in the second game. The Tigers are now 25-17 (9-7 MIAA) on the year with four games remaining in the regular season.
Game 1: Fort Hays State 1, Northwest Missouri State 0
Holub was very impressive in the circle for the first game, striking out 13 Bearcat batters on her way to the first complete-game no-hitter of her career. She struck out the side in the third and fifth innings and only allowed two runners to reach base all game, one via a walk and the other a hit by pitch.
The FHSU offense was unable to produce much run support, but knocked out five hits and went on top in the top of the fifth inning on a solo home run by Chelsey Rottinghous. On this day, one run was all that Holub would need as she cruised to the victory and improved to 15-8 on the season.
Game 2: Northwest Missouri State 12, Fort Hays State 4 (5 innings)
The Tigers were unable to capitalize on the momentum of the first game, even after getting a two-run home run from Adriana Wortley in the top of the first inning to go on top 2-0. Northwest Missouri State promptly responded with three runs in both the first and second innings to take a 6-2 lead after two.
FHSU did fight back in the top of the fourth after getting a two-run single from Kellsi Olsen to get back within striking range at 6-4. That would be as close as the Tigers would get, however, with the Bearcats scoring one run apiece in the third and fourth innings before putting up four runs in the fifth inning to end the game by run-rule.
Kaitlyn Shattleroe started the game for Fort Hays State and gave up seven runs in two innings pitched. She was tagged with the loss and drops to 7-4 on the year. Abby Morrison relieved Shattleroe in the third inning and pitched the final 2.1 innings and allowed the final five Bearcat runs to score.
Fort Hays State will return home this weekend and look to solidify their spot in the MIAA Tournament as they face Pittsburg State on Saturday and Missouri Southern on Sunday to close out the regular season.
The Fort Hays State men’s golf team held its position on the second day of the MIAA Championships in Smithville, Mo., to finish fourth. The Tigers shot their best team score of the tournament on Tuesday, but it was not enough to move any higher in the standings. Central Missouri posted the lowest team score of the tournament, a 285, to erase a seven-stroke deficit to Washburn to win the team title.
The Tigers shot 299 as a team in the third and final round, after posting 305 and 303 on the first day. The 907 total was good enough to edge Pittsburg State for fourth by one stroke. Missouri Western shot a 291 to leap FHSU in the standings. The Griffons were just one back of FHSU heading into Tuesday, while Pittsburg State dropped from third to fifth with a 301.
Markus Hilger led FHSU individually, finishing eighth overall with a total of 225. He shot a 1-under par 71 in the final round after rounds of 76 and 78. Trey Herman was also in the top 15 for FHSU in a tie for 13th at 227. He shot 77 on Tuesday after rounds of 74 and 76 on the first day.
Kevin Quinley moved up in the standings on Tuesday with a 2-over 74 to tie for 19th with a 230 overall. He shot rounds of 77 and 79 on Monday. Tom O’Keeffe tied for 24th at 232. He shot 77 on Tuesday after rounds of 83 and 72 on Monday. Chris Mann tied for 34th with a 241. He shot rounds of 78, 77, and 86 in the tournament.
The Tigers finished third in the overall MIAA standings for the season behind Central Missouri and Washburn. Central Missouri accumulated 40 team points, Washburn had 35, and Fort Hays State had 26.5 from the four mandated MIAA events throughout the 2011-12 season.
– FHSU Sports Information –
Team Standings 1. Central Missouri – 295-297-285=877 (+13)
2. Washburn – 289-296-296=881 (+17)
3. Missouri Western – 308-301-291=900 (+36)
4. Fort Hays State – 305-303-299=907 (+43)
5. Pittsburg State – 300-307-301=908 (+44)
6. Missouri Southern – 312-305-312=929 (+65)
7. Lincoln – 308-316-308=932 (+68)
8. Southwest Baptist – 335-319-324=978 (+114)
Individual Standings
1. Riley Piles, Washburn – 71-71-68=210 (-6)
2. Tyler Gast, Missouri Western – 72-73-70=215 (-1)
T3. Jared King, Central Missouri – 73-75-68=216 (E)
T3. Cy Moritz, Central Missouri – 72-73-71=216 (E)
T5. Chris Grause, Washburn – 74-71-75=220 (+4)
T5. Sean Elliott, Central Missouri – 74-75-71=220 (+4)
All-MIAA Team (top 10 from season-long individual standings)
1. Player of the Year: Jared King, Central Missouri – 30
2. Riley Piles, Washburn – 18
3. Joe Migdal, Central Missouri – 16.5
4. Justice Valdivia, Pittsburg State – 15
5. Sean Elliott, Central Missouri – 14.5
T6. Cy Moritz, Central Missouri – 13.5
T6.Tyler Gast, Missouri Western — 13.5
8. Jason Vann, Central Missouri – 13
9. Steven Mallow, Lincoln – 12
10. Bryan Steele, Southwest Baptist – 11.83
Final MIAA Team Standings 1. Central Missouri – 40
2. Washburn – 35
3. Fort Hays State – 26.5
T4. Pittsburg State – 20.5
T4. Missouri Western – 20.5
6. Missouri Southern – 14
7. Lincoln – 13.5
8. Southwest Baptist – 10
The Fort Hays State softball team picked up a conference series split with Truman on Monday afternoon at Bulldog Field in Kirksville, Mo. The Tigers took the first game by a score of 10-2 before dropping the night cap 9-3. FHSU is now 24-16 (8-6 MIAA) on the year with three regular season series’ remaining.
Game 1: Fort Hays State 10, Truman 2
Fort Hays State exploded in the opener with 11 hits and 10 runs on their way to the 10-2 victory. The Tigers jumped on top with two runs in the first inning and three in the second for a 5-0 lead that they would not look back from.
Taylor Nelson opened the game by reaching on a Bulldog error and she was joined on the base path by Maddie Holub, who drew a walk two batters later. Both would come around to score on a two-out RBI single from Amanda Vaupel which put the Tigers on top 2-0. Kellsi Olsen doubled to lead off the second inning and she, along with Madison Putman, came around to score on a three-run home run from Nelson. It was the fifth home run hit by Nelson this season, tying her for the team lead.
Christine Moses opened up the fourth inning with the first home run of her career, a solo shot over the center field fence which extended the lead to 6-0. Callie Wright added an RBI in the inning, scoring Putman and pushing the lead to 7-0, which is where it would stay through five innings.
Moses again led off for the Tigers in the sixth inning, and once again she came through, this time with a double to right center field. Yasnaya Susoeff pinch ran for Moses and came around to score two batters later when Nelson hit a double to left center. Maddie Holub then came through with a single to bring Nelson around extend the lead to 9-0, giving the Tigers a chance for a run-rule after six innings.
The Bulldogs would not go down that way, however, pushing across two runs in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 9-2 and send the game to the final inning. The Fort Hays State offense once again manufactured a run in the seventh, Olsen coming across to score in the inning on a fielder’s choice from Nelson to set the final mark at 10-2.
Nelson had a huge game offensively, finishing with 5 RBI to go along with her two hits and three runs scored. Vaupel, Olsen and Moses were the other Tigers with multiple hits in the game.
Holub pitched the first five innings of the game, allowing a single hit and no runs while striking out six Bulldog batters. Abby Morrison would relieve Holub for the final two innings of the game and allow three hits and two runs. Holub picked up the victory and improved her record to 14-8 on the year.
Game 2: Truman 9, Fort Hays State 3
Things started promising for the Tigers in the second game after Wright, the second batter of the game, sent a home run over the left field fence and give FHSU an early 1-0 lead. The Tigers would not hold the lead long, however, after Truman pushed across five runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 5-1 lead.
From there the Tiger offense went away and produced just one hit over the next three innings and allowed Truman to extend the lead to 9-1 after a four-run fourth inning that had FHSU on the verge of taking a run-rule loss.
Olsen would provide the final run production for Fort Hays State, leading off both the fifth and seventh innings with solo home runs and making the final margin 9-3. These marked the first and second home runs of Olsen’s career as a Tiger. FHSU finished the game with three runs and six hits, but all of the runs came across on solo home runs.
Morrison started the second game from the circle and she allowed eight hits and nine runs to the Bulldogs before being replaced by Kaitlyn Shattleroe in the fourth inning. Shattleroe pitched the final 2 2/3 innings and allowed two hits and no runs. Morrison took the loss for FHSU, dropping her record to 3-5 for the year.
Fort Hays State will continue the road trip Tuesday with an 11:00 am game against Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Mo.
The Fort Hays State women’s golf team leads the way at the MIAA Championships after the first day of competition at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex in Smithville, Mo. Women’s competition was held on “The Posse” course, a par-72 venue. FHSU holds a three-shot lead over Missouri Western heading into Tuesday’s final round.
Jordan Nixon and Kiley Johansen are leading the way for FHSU, each carding a nine-over round of 81. They are currently tied for third, five strokes back of first day leader Cassie Lowell of Northwest Missouri State, who shot a 76. Natalie Bird of Missouri Western was the only other player under 80 with a 79.
Samantha Neilsen is currently tied for eighth after an 85. Carmen Thompson is one stroke back in a tie for 10th after an 86. Samantha Hobson is tied for 14th after an 89.
Northwest Missouri State is also lurking close to the Tigers in third after a first-day 338, just five strokes back of the lead. Lincoln is the next closest, 15 back after a 348.
Play is set to get underway at 7:30 am on Tuesday.
The Fort Hays State baseball team was in position to take three of four games in the weekend series with Truman after a 6-2 win in Game 1 Sunday, but a disappointing 15-4 loss in Game 2 allowed Truman to leave Hays with a split. The Tigers are now 18-18 overall and 16-15 in the MIAA.
Game 1: Fort Hays State 6, Truman 2
Both teams were hitless through 2 1/2 innings until Nash Smith logged the first hit for FHSU in the third. Sheldon Howell followed with another hit and then with two outs, Truman intentionally walked Ryan Busboom for the second time in the game. Mace Krol made Truman pay with a grand slam to left field to put the Tigers up 4-0.
FHSU starter Jesse Hart finally allowed his first hit to Truman in the fourth on a solo home run by Steven Rose. Hart would go on to last 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on just three hits and two walks with five strikeouts. He moved to 3-0 on the season with the win.
FHSU added insurance runs in the fourth and fifth innings to push its lead to 6-1. They took advantage of an error by Truman to start the fourth, which led to a squeeze bunt RBI for Chris Santoscoy. Brandon Hoefler had a two-out RBI single in the fifth.
Kyle Leroy got the Tigers out of a jam with runners at first and third and two outs with the score 6-2 in the top of the sixth. He got Jarod Hahn to fly out to center field to end the rally. He worked a scoreless seventh inning to pick up his first save of the season, allowing no hits in his 1.1 innings of work.
Game 2: Truman 15, Fort Hays State 4
Truman held a 1-0 lead after two innings, but touched up FHSU starter Andy Lewton in the third for four runs on four hits to extend the lead to 5-0. Truman then blew the game open with an eight-run fifth to push the advantage to 13-0.
Lewton allowed seven runs in the start, lasting just 4.0 innings. He was responsible for the first two runs in the fifth.
The Tiger bullpen struggled mightily in relief of Lewton. Connor Beer recorded one out before allowing a pair of singles and a three-run home run. Tayler Davis also recorded just one out and allowed two runs, but both were earned after right fielder Nash Smith dropped a routine fly ball that would have prevented the final three runs from scoring in the inning. Sam Thornton walked three batters and did not record an out. Nathan Zimmerman finally recorded the final out of the fifth, but then surrendered two in the top of the sixth without recording an out. JJ Jaramillo finished the game for FHSU, allowing just two hits in his 2.0 innings of work.
Fort Hays State finally ended its scoreless drought in the sixth on a Chris Santoscoy two-RBI single down the right field line. Sheldon Howell would later follow with a bases-loaded RBI single and JC Ochoa had an RBI groundout to make it 15-4. The Tigers could have had a huge inning with two runners in scoring position, but Ryan Busboom struck out to end the inning. FHSU went quietly in the seventh, allowing Truman to leave with a run-rule victory in the scheduled nine-inning contest.
Truman’s Daniel Jewett held the FHSU bats quiet over the first five innings before allowing the four runs in the sixth. Only two of the four runs he allowed were earned. He lasted 5 1/3 innings to record his first win of the season.
The Tiger baseball team fell 4-3 in the first game of a doubleheader to Truman, but bounced back to take game two 11-3 to earn a split on Friday in front of 891 at Larks Park. Fort Hays State did not make up any ground in the MIAA standings staying in fifth place, now at 17-17 overall and 15-14 in the MIAA.
Game 1: Truman 4, Fort Hays State 3 FHSU and Truman played to a scoreless tie through the first three innings until a Pete Jurich three-run home run for Truman in the top of the fourth. The Bulldogs added another run in the fifth after FHSU committed a fielding error to start the inning that led to the run.
The Tigers had just two hits through the first five innings, but then finally broke through on the scoreboard on a Ryan Busboom three-run home run to pull them within one.
FHSU got a single from Luke Kordsmeier in the seventh with one out, but could not find a way to get him around to extend the game.
Logan Siegler claimed the pitcher’s dual with Shawn Lewick. He allowed just five hits to the Tigers with two strikeouts and no walks in a complete game effort. Lewick also went the distance, allowing six hits and one walk with three strikeouts. Three of his four runs were earned.
Game 2: Fort Hays State 11, Truman 3
Fort Hays State scored five runs through the first three innings to take a 5-0 lead before Truman finally broke through with a run in the fourth.
Busboom triggered the FHSU offense once again with his second three-run home run of the night in the first inning. He now has 13 home runs on the season.
Chris Sontoscoy had a single down the left field line in the second to push the lead to 4-0 and a Busboom sacrifice fly RBI in the third plated another run for FHSU.
After Truman tightened the FHSU advantage to 5-3 in the top of the seventh with a pair of runs, FHSU scored four times in the bottom half of the inning to take a comfortable 9-3 lead. JC Ochoa had an RBI double, then a couple of outfield errors on Tiger singles helped plate two more runs. Brandon Hoefler also picked up a RBI in the inning on a single.
FHSU tacked on two more for good measure in the eighth on a Nash Smith solo home run and another sacrifice fly RBI by Busboom.
Alex Ellison was solid for the Tigers, going 6 innings to improve to 2-4 on the season. He allowed three runs (one earned) with eight hits. He did not walk anyone or strikeout anyone. Tyler Treinen picked up his first save of the season, pitching the final three innings. He allowed just two hits and struck out two.
Bret Gerstner took the loss for Truman, allowing eight earned runs to FHSU. He went 6 2/3 innings before yielding to the Bulldog pen.
Busboom, the reigning MIAA Hitter of the Week, finished with eight RBI for FHSU in the doubleheader.
Fort Hays State split a midweek conference doubleheader at Washburn University on Tuesday in Topeka, Kan. FHSU dropped the first game 9-2 before rallying from behind to win the second game 5-2. FHSU remains in fifth-place in the MIAA at 16-16 overall and 14-13 in the MIAA, a half-game behind Washburn.
Game 1: Washburn 9, Fort Hays State 2 FHSU grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the second inning on a Jay Sanders sacrifice bunt RBI that scored JC Ochoa, but Washburn rallied for four runs in the third and never looked back, scoring three more in the fourth and two in the fifth on its way to the 9-2 win.
Nash Smith produced Fort Hays State’s only other run of the game in the fifth on a solo home run.
Tyler Treinen held the Ichabods scoreless for two innings in his first start of the season. He ran into trouble in the third, allowing four runs (three earned). He allowed four hits and two walks with two strikeouts. He took the loss, going to 0-1 on the season.
Tayler Davis was only able to get one out in the fourth, but was responsible for all three runs scored by Washburn in the inning. Andy Hammeke picked up the final two outs of the inning, but he ran into trouble in the fifth and was responsible for the two runs in that inning. Casey Pierce finished the game and did not allow any runs in his two innings of work.
Game 2: Fort Hays State 5, Washburn 2 The Tigers were held scoreless for four innings and fell behind 2-0 before Nash Smith tied the game with a two-out, two-run home run in the fifth inning. Then the Tigers took the lead on a solo home run by Ryan Busboom in the sixth.
Sam Thornton started the game on the mound for FHSU, lasting 2.2 innings. He allowed just one run on four hits and three walks with two strikeouts. Shawn Lewick relieved Thornton to get the last out of the third and went 2.1 innings in relief. He allowed just a solo home run in the fourth, but struck out four.
Alex Ellison and Brett Macari shut down Washburn the rest of the way, each throwing 2.0 innings. Ellison held the Ichabods scoreless over the sixth and seventh inning, striking out three and allowing just two hits. Macari shut the door on Washburn in the eighth and ninth for his third save of the season. He did not allow a hit and struck out two.
To help Macari’s cause, Nash Smith delivered a two-out RBI single in the ninth to push the FHSU lead to 4-2. He moved up to second on a wild pitch, then scored on an RBI single by Sheldon Howell.
