The Fort Hays State softball team was handed a 7-4 loss by Abilene Christian on Sunday at the Midwestern State Invitational in Wichita Falls, Texas. The Tigers had a 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning, but Abilene Christian tied the game at 4-4 and got a three-run walk-off home run from Erin Gilliland to hand the Tigers their first loss of the season.

Fort Hays State struck quick, with Maddie Holub hitting a solo home run in the top of the first inning. The Tigers would go up 2-0 on a sac fly by Breanna Beckerman which scored Amanda Vaupel. Holub struck again in the third inning, this time with a two-run shot to put FHSU up 4-0. There were chances to extend the lead, but Holub was gunned down at the plate to end the fourth inning and the Tigers left runners on second and third in the fifth inning.

The Wildcats turned to their third pitcher of the game, Peyton Mosley, in the fifth inning after FHSU had two runners on and she responded by not allowing a hit the rest of the way. Fort Hays State had 10 hits off of the other ACU pitchers and also took advantage of three Wildcat errors.

Holub was strong in the circle, allowing just two hits in the first six innings, before the Wildcats came to life in the seventh. ACU tied the game at four on a fielder’s choice, leaving two runners still on base when Gilliland came to the plate for the walk-off home run. Holub gets her first loss of the season, moving to 2-1, after allowing seven runs on seven hits. She also allowed seven walks and had two wild pitches, but she struck out nine batters. Holub has struck out at least nine batters in all three of her starts this season.

The Tigers, now 4-1 on the season, travel to Denton, Texas next weekend to play in the Texas Women’s Tournament. They are scheduled to face Abilene Christian again next Sunday (Feb. 26) on the final day of that tournament.

– FHSU Sport Information –

The Fort Hays State wrestlers hosted two of the RMAC elite on Wednesday night (Feb. 15) at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The No. 15 Tigers fell to No. 7 Grand Canyon, 22-12, in the first dual and lost to No. 4 Nebraska-Kearney, 19-12, in the nightcap. FHSU is now 7-5 on the season and 3-5 in the RMAC.

Grand Canyon 22, FHSU 12

The Tigers took four of the 10 matches, all in decisions to score 12 points against No. 7 Grand Canyon, but the Lopes won six matches, including a pin and a major decision for the 22-12 score.

FHSU jumped out to a 6-0 lead, taking the first two matches. Kyle Johnson started the dual with a close 3-2 win over Lino Estrado at 133 pounds. C.J. Napier continued the Tiger winning streak, defeating Vince Hererra in an 8-3 decision and upping the Tiger advantage to 6-0.

The Lopes won the next two matches to tie the score at 6-6. In a battle of top wrestlers, No. 8 Bobby Ward defeated No. 2 Mitchell Means, 7-3, in a decision. Grand Canyon’s Teddy Bristol then won a tight 5-4 decision over Derek Koehn at 157 pounds.

FHSU’s Sam Thoman gave the Tigers a lead at 9-3 after Thoman won a 3-0 decision over David Wilbur in the 165-pound class.

The Lopes pulled away with 13-straight points in three matches. A major decision win by Victor Carazo over Josh Rodriguezstarted the run then Brett Sanchez upset No. 1 Walker Clarke, 4-1, to push Grand Canyon’s lead to 13-9. An early pin by Celic Bell of Grand Canyon upped their score to 19 points as Bell pinned Tanner Kriss at 0:28.

Senior Justin Glenn win an exciting 3-2 decision over No. 3 Jordan Johnson at heavyweight to give the Tigers their final three points and 12 points total in the dual.

A late comeback by Kyle Mccrite downed Collin Hase, 11-8, at 125 pounds in the final match of the dual, upping the Lopes score to 22-12.

Nebraska-Kearney 19, FHSU 12

After losing the first six matches to fall behind 19-0, the Tigers rallied to win the final four matches for the final 19-12 in favor of the visiting Lopers.

The Tigers dropped the first six matches in the dual to fall behind 19-0, but won the last four for the final 19-12 score.

FHSU then won the next four matches to score 12 points. No. 1 Walker Clarke redeemed himself after his earlier loss to defeat Ross Brunkhardt by a close 3-2 score. Tanner Kriss made it two straight Tiger wins, defeating Matt Lenagh, 6-1, and upping the Tiger score to six points. Justin Glenn notched his second win of the night, defeating Kevin Barrett by a close 3-2 score to pull the Tigers to 10 at 19-9. Glenn was undefeated in duals for the Tigers this season. At 125 pounds, Collin Hase won 6-4 over Jordan White for the final 19-12 score.

With the losses, FHSU is 7-5 on the season and 3-5 in the RMAC.

The Tigers now prepare for the NCAA Division II West Regionals/RMAC Champions on Feb. 25-26, hosted by Fort Hays State at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The event starts at 9 p.m. on Saturday.

– FHSU Sports Information –

The Fort Hays State men’s basketball team debut’s at No. 10 in the first South Central Region rankings out this afternoon. The rankings are used to determine the field in the NCAA II basketball tournament.

The Lady Tigers did make the women’s poll.

Below are both polls. Records are against Division II opponents and in-region.

Men’s South Central Region Rankings (February 15, 2012)
1. Tarleton State (16-2) (15-2)
2. Midwestern State (16-2) (16-2)
3. Arkansas Tech (14-3) (14-3)
4. Northwest Missouri State (15-3) (15-3)
5. Washburn (15-6) (15-6)
6. Missouri Southern (17-5) (17-5)
7. Central Missouri (13-6) (13-6)
8. West Texas A&M (15-6) (15-6)
9. Incarnate Word (12-9) (12-9)
10.Fort Hays State (12-6) (12-6)

Women’s South Central Region Rankings (February 15, 2012)
1. Pittsburg State (20-2) (20-2)
2. Northeastern State (20-3) (15-3)
3. Washburn (18-4) (15-4)
4. Tarleton State (16-5) (16-5)
5. Midwestern State (18-4) (18-4)
6. Emporia State (17-5) (15-5)
7. Central Missouri (15-6) (15-6)
8. Arkansas Tech (16-3) (16-3)
9. West Texas A&M (14-7) (14-6)
10. Newman (14-5) (14-5)

Maddie Holub opened her junior season for the Fort Hays State softball team in style, leading the Tigers to a pair of wins over Nebraska-Kearney Tuesday afternoon at Tiger Stadium. Fort Hays State won the first game 4-0 then had to score late to pull out a 6-5 win in the second game.

Game 1: Fort Hays State 4, Nebraska-Kearney 0
Holub recorded a strike out on all three outs in the first inning and never looked back as the Tigers took game one 4-0. Fort Hays State produced all of their offense in the bottom of the third inning, getting one run on a Holub single that was misplayed by a Nebraska-Kearney outfielder and brought Taylor Nelson home to score. The rest of the damage was done two batters later by Amanda Vaupel, who brought home Kellsi Olsen and Holub with a three-run home run over the left field fence.

That was all the help that Holub needed. She allowed just one hit and struck out a single-game Fort Hays State record 16 batters from Nebraska-Kearney. The previous record of 15 was shared by Holub (vs. Southwest Baptist, 3-28-10) and Melissa Beyer (vs. CSU-Pueblo, 3-30-05). The only hit she allowed was a single by Sarah Rome in the top of the fifth inning. Holub picked up the win to move to 1-0 on the year while Kirstie Hiatt took the loss after allowing four runs in 3.1 innings pitched.

Game 2: Fort Hays State 6, Nebraska-Kearney 5
The second game featured more offense, but most of it came early. Nebraska-Kearney struck in the first, manufacturing one run on a single from Jen Kramer off of Tiger pitcher Abby Morrison. Fort Hays State answered in the bottom of the first inning on a homer by Holub to make the score 1-1 after one inning.

After shutting down the Lopers in the second inning, Fort Hays State had another offensive explosion to go back in front. Following an Adriana Wortley single, Callie Wright hit her first career home run to put FHSU up 3-1. Consecutive singles from Christine Moses, Madison Putnam and Taylor Nelson loaded the bases before Olsen was hit by a pitch. Yasnaya Susoeff, who pinch ran for Moses, came across to score and make it 4-1. Holub came up next and hit a deep fly ball to left field which was caught, but allowed Putman to score on the sacrifice fly.

The lead would not last long, with Nebraska-Kearney fighting back for four runs in the top of the third inning. The most of the damage came on a three-run double from Rome with the bases loaded. The game was tied at 5-5 after three innings and would stay that way for the next two innings after the pitchers began to settle in. Fort Hays State brought in Kaitlyn Shattleroe to pitch in the sixth inning and she made quick work of the Lopers, giving the Tigers another chance to take the lead.

Putman walked to lead off the sixth inning and advanced to third on a groundout from Olsen. Holub came up next and hit a shot past the Loper third baseman and pushing Putman across for the go-ahead run. Shattleroe sat the Lopers down in order in the top of the seventh and allowed Fort Hays State to get the win 6-5.

Morrison pitched 5.0 innings, allowing four hits and five runs before Shattleroe came in and didn’t allow a hit in the final two innings. Shattleroe took the win to improve to 1-0 on the year, while Becky Dunn of Nebraska-Kearney got the loss.

Fort Hays State starts the season 2-0 and they will be on the road at the Midwestern State Tournament in Wichita Falls, Texas this weekend, playing five games between Friday and Sunday. 

– FHSU Sports Information –

Fort Hays State wrestler Sam Thoman was named RMAC Wrestler of the Week, announced Wednesday by the RMAC. Thoman is the second Tiger to earn the honor this season, joining Walker Clarke, who earned RMAC Wrestler of the Week on Dec. 6.

Thoman went a perfect 5-0 on the week to improve to 24-8 on the season. His pin of Colorado Mesa’s Chester Granard broke a 9-9 tie for a six-point lead, which eventually helped FHSU claim the dual by five points. He posted his only decision win of the week against Western State, edging Cody Franum, 5-3. Thoman was dominant at the MIAA Duals on Sunday, posting major decisions over Josh Well of Truman and Todd Brier of Central Missouri. He pinned Mason Ridenhour of Lindenwood in the final dual to help the Tigers to a sweep of the competition.

During his 24-8 season, the junior from Andale, Kan. won an individual championship at the Baker Open on Nov. 6, while also placing third at the Kansas Cup in January.

Thoman is one of two Tigers to earn the honor this season, joining Clarke, who earned RMAC Wrestler of the Week on Dec. 6.

No. 15 FHSU welcomes No. 4 Nebraska-Kearney and No. 7 Grand Canyon to Gross Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday (Feb. 15) for a double dual, starting at 5 p.m.

– FHSU Sports Information –

The Fort Hays State wrestlers dominated the MIAA Duals on Sunday, going 3-0 in Kirksville, Mo. The Tigers defeated Truman (31-12), Central Missouri (40-6) and Lindenwood (39-7). Five Tigers went 3-0 in the duals. With the three wins, FHSU upped their record to 7-3 (3-3 RMAC) in duals.

FHSU 31, Truman 12
The Tigers took seven of the 10 matches in the victory over the Bulldogs. FHSU built a commanding 14-0 advantage after three matches. Collin Hase at 125 pounds gave the Tigers six points, defeating Tyler Schilson with a pin at 1:02. Kyle Johnson’s major decision (17-2) over Dan Karlskin at 133 pounds upped the score to 11-0. A CJ Napier win at 141 pounds over Alex Maus made the score 14-0 in favor of the Tigers. Napier won a close 3-2 decision in his match.

No. 2-ranked Mitchell Means lost to Ryan Maus at 149 pounds in an overtime decision, giving the Bulldogs their first points. The Tigers still lead at 14-3 after the 149-pound match.

Derek Koehn, Sam Thoman and Benny Armstrong won the next three matches for FHSU. Koehn defeated Devon Fenstermaker at 157 pounds by a 3-1 decision. Thoman won in a major decision (12-2) over Josh Wells at 165 pounds, and Armstrong pinned Gary Janesko at 4:19 to take the 174-pound class. The three wins upped the Tigers advantage to 27-3.

At 184 pounds, Aaron Berscheidt fell in a 7-2 decision to Helmut Rentschler. The Bulldogs’ win upped their point total to six for a 27-6 score.

Tanner Kriss won a major decision (13-4) at 197 pounds over Zach Hayes to increase the Tiger score to 31-6. The heavyweight class was won by Thomas Redmon of TSU via a forfeit for the final score of 31-12.

FHSU 40, Central Missouri 6
With the Mules leaving four weight classes open, the Tigers took advantage, winning eight of 10 matches in the 40-6 dominating win.

Collin Hase got his second pin of the day in the 125-pound match, defeating Ty Balty and giving the Tigers a 6-0 lead. CJ Napier won at 141 points in a 7-4 decision over Nick Viterisi. Derek Koehn was victorious at 157 pounds with an 8-5 decision over Russell Naylor. Sam Thoman followed with a major decision win over Todd Brier in the 165-pound bout. After Thoman’s win, the Tigers lead 28-0.

The Mules two wins came in the 174 and 184 pound matches. Willie Ressel defeated Benny Armstrong by a 7-2 decision, and Derick Sanders beat Aaron Berscheidt in a close 6-5 decision.

Kyle Johnson (133), Mitchell Means (149), Tanner Kriss (197) and Justin Glenn (285) all won their matches via forfeits, giving the Tigers 24 points of the 40 total.

FHSU 39, Lindenwood 7
The Tigers also took eight of 10 matches in the 39-7 victory over Lindenwood.

Collin Hase notched his third pin of the duals, defeating Blayne Shockely at 1:57 in the 125-pound class. After a Tyler Dryden loss to Michael Caldwell at 133, CJ Napier won a 5-2 decision over Jacob Janes at 141 pounds for a 9-4 Tiger advantage.

The Tigers won the three bouts following Napier’s win. Mitchell Means defeated Craig Chiles in a 5-0 decision at 149 pounds, and Derek Koehn and Sam Thoman made it back-to-back pins at 157 and 165 pounds. Koehn defeated Mason Ridenhour at 4:45, while Thoman won at 2:39 over Daniel Breit. The Tigers led 24-4 after the 165-pound class.

After a Benny Armstrong loss at 174 pounds, the Tigers won the final three matches. Aaron Berscheidt and Tanner Kriss won via forfeits at 184 and 197 pounds for a 36-7 score. Justin Glenn won at 285 pounds over Austin Garza. Glenn won via a 4-1 decision.

The Tigers return home and to RMAC action on Wednesday (Feb. 15) when FHSU hosts a double dual against Grand Canyon at 5 p.m. and Nebraska-Kearney at 7 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

– FHSU Sports Information –