HAYS, Kan. – Despite holding Northeastern State to just one hit over the first four innings, the Fort Hays State baseball team was unable to keep pace with the RiverHawks down the stretch, falling 16-5 in seven innings in Friday’s series finale at Larks Park (April 13). The Tigers dip to 13-26 overall and 5-20 in conference action, while NSU is now 22-16 on the year and 13-12 against MIAA opponents.

Steve Johnson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

The Tigers collected five runs on 10 hits and two NSU errors, while the RiverHawks countered with 16 runs on 14 hits, nine of which went for extra bases.

Jordan Wilkerson recorded one of his best days at the plate this season, finishing a triple shy of the cycle to go along with four RBI and one run. After the visitors pushed across four runs on just one hit in the second inning, the junior centerfielder cut the deficit in half when he absolutely crushed a 1-2 pitch over the wall in left center, plating Ryan Grasser who had worked a leadoff walk.

After falling behind 8-2 heading into the bottom of the fifth, the Tigers once again responded with a big inning. Fort Hays State strung together four singles across six plate appearances, culminated by a two-RBI base knock back up the middle from Wilkerson.

Northeastern State turned on the afterburners down the stretch, totaling 12 runs and five home runs over the final three innings to leave town with a third-consecutive victory.

Jason Nicholson and Alex Weiss both picked up a pair of base knocks for the Tigers, scoring one run each. Dayton Pomeroy scored the final Tiger run, going 1-for-4 with a single. Tanner Smith (1-7) was credited with the loss after allowing seven runs on three hits and seven walks over four-plus innings of work.

The Tigers will be back in action next week when they head to Topeka, Kan. to take on Washburn at 5 p.m. Tuesday (April 17).

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Fort Hays State fell twice on Friday in conference play to Northwest Missouri State. The Tigers lost game one by run rule, 8-0 in six innings, before the Bearcats took the second game in walk-off fashion 6-5. The Tigers are now 11-35 overall, 7-17 in the MIAA, while the Bearcats improved to 25-13 overall, 16-6 in the MIAA.

Game 1: Northwest Missouri State 8, Fort Hays State 0

Northwest Missouri State slowly pulled away from Fort Hays State in the first game, scoring single runs in the first, second, third, and fifth innings to build a 4-0 lead. The Bearcats put the game away in the sixth inning, forcing the run rule by doubling their lead with four more runs.

Fort Hays State had runners in scoring position in three of the six innings, but could not push a run across. The best chance for the Tigers came in the fourth, trailing 3-0 at the time. They loaded the bases with one out, but a fielder’s choice force out at home and then a groundout ended the threat. Terran Caldwell had the only extra base hit of the game for FHSU, a double in the first with one out, but remained stranded at second. With two outs in the sixth, the Tigers got a pair of singles before a fielder’s choice ended another threat.

The Bearcats had three solo home runs, all in the midst of building their 4-0 lead. In the sixth, the Bearcats loaded the bases, then had a two-RBI single and two more RBI singles to end the game.

Taylor Blackford tossed a complete game shutout for the Bearcats, scattering six hits with three strikeouts. Sierra Rodriguez took the loss for FHSU, throwing 4.0 innings. She allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks, while striking out five. Megan Jamison relieved for the final 1.2 innings, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk. She struck out one batter.

Game 2: Northwest Missouri State 6, Fort Hays State 5

Fort Hays State looked in good position twice to end its long winless drought away from Hays in the second game of the doubleheader. The Tigers took a two-run lead in the fifth, and then again in the sixth, but could not hold off the Bearcats each time. The Bearcats tied the game three times altogether before winning with a walk-off single in the seventh to break a 5-5 tie.

Getting the starting nod at second base in game two, Jeni Mohr provided the Tigers with an offensive spark in the first inning with a double. She came in to score the first run of the game on a two-out Grace Philop RBI single.

The Bearcats evened the score for the first time in the third inning by getting a sacrifice fly. However, the Tigers would get their lead back in the fifth on a two-run home run by Bailey Boxberger. Mohr crossed the plate for a second time after leading off the inning with a single. But, the lead was short lived as Kaitlyn Weis of NWMSU hit a two-run homer in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game 3-3.

The Tigers jumped ahead by two once again in the sixth when a single and error led to an RBI single by Candace Bollig. Mohr followed with a sacrifice fly RBI to extend the lead. However, with two outs on a 1-2 count, Kiana Baderdeen of NWMSU hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to knot the score again at 5-5.

The Tigers could not get anything going in their half of the seventh and the Bearcats put together a quick rally in the bottom half of the inning to win the game. After a leadoff single, an error put runners at second and third. The next batter walked to set up a force at any base, but it did not matter as Sydne Brashear singled to center field to end the game.

Hailey Chapman took the loss for FHSU, throwing a complete game. She allowed six runs (five earned) on 10 hits and two walks. She struck out three. Northwest Missouri State used three pitchers in the game. Regan Thompson ended up with the win by retiring the Tigers in order in the seventh. Starter Rachel Smith allowed three runs over 4.1 innings, while reliever Holly Posegate allowed two runs over 1.2 innings.

The Tigers are scheduled to play Newman University in a midweek doubleheader on Wednesday (Apr. 18) in Hays at 3 pm.

HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped both ends of Thursday’s doubleheader with Northeastern State (April 12), coming up short in game one, 13-9, before falling in the nightcap, 15-7. The Tigers are now 13-25 on the year and 5-19 in MIAA play, while the RiverHawks improve to 21-16 overall and 12-12 in league action.

A whopping 12 home runs were tallied on the day, including four for the Tigers and two for Alex Weiss. It is the second day in a row the senior has swatted a pair of home runs.

Game One: Northeastern State 13, Fort Hays State 9
The Tigers fell behind early in the opener before rallying to take the lead in the third inning. Trailing 4-1, Weiss led things off in that frame with a solo shot to left center. Dayton Pomeroy and Ryan Grasser followed with singles before Jordan Wilkerson cleared the scoreboard in right field with the second home run in the inning, putting the Tigers in front, 5-4.

Fort Hays State maintained the lead until the RiverHawks went back in front for good with six runs in the sixth inning. The Tigers clawed back with a single run in the sixth and three more in the ninth thanks to Ryan Grasser’s three-run home run, but it was too little, too late as the NSU bullpen slammed the door by retiring the next two batters.

Pomeroy collected a game-high four hits, scoring one run. Weiss and Grasser collected three base knocks each, with Weiss scoring three runs and driving in two and Grasser totaling three RBI and two runs scored. Easton Palmer (1-1) took the loss after allowing the go-ahead run to score, allowing two runs over 1.1 inning of relief. Starter Ben Ramberg struck out three batters over four innings of work, giving up four runs.

Game Two: Northeastern State 15, Fort Hays State 7
Northeastern State never gave up the lead after taking advantage of a leadoff double and jumping in front 1-0 in the top of the first. After stretching the lead to 4-0 by the third inning, Clayton Basgall helped the Tigers close the gap to three after sending a double the other way to right field, plating Bryce Whitchurch.

The visitors responded by extending their advantage to 10-1, but the Tigers battled back within three with six runs in the fifth and sixth innings combined. Whitchurch worked a walk to lead things off in the fifth before Addison Kaasch and Basgall singled in consecutive at-bats. Alex Weiss followed with his second long ball of the evening, this time going the other way to right. Kaasch came through with a two-run double in the sixth inning to put the tying run in the on deck circle, placing an outside pitch just inside the right field line.

Basgall collected three of Fort Hays State’s 15 hits in the nightcap, driving in two runs. Weiss drove in a game-high three RBI after collecting two hits. Whitchurch scored two runs after finishing 2-for-3 with a walk. Ryan Ruder (4-5) took the loss after striking out five over four-plus innings of work. Zach Rothert pitched well out of the bullpen, ultimately giving up five runs in 4.2 innings of work, with all the runs scoring in his final two innings of work.

The Tigers and RiverHawks will meet one final time this season on Friday (April 13), with first pitch set for 2 p.m. from Larks Park.

KEARNEY, Neb. – Nine Tigers ran away with first place finishes at the UNK Loper Invitational held Wednesday and Thursday. The Fort Hays State women’s track and field team also achieved eight provisionals at the meet, continuing their showing in the outdoor season.

Wednesday night gave the Tigers their first top finish as three FHSU athletes swept the top spots in the 5,000-meter. Lindsay Roberts claimed the event with her time of 17:57.56, with teammates Yessenia Gonzales (18:09.06) and Lauren Roberts (18:33.66) following close behind.

Thursday would see eight more top finishes for the women, starting with Amber Forbes claiming first place in the 100-meters at 11.93, a provisional mark as well as a personal best. Kelly Wycoff produced two championship performances on the day, both alongside provisional and personal bests. In the 200-meters, Wycoff defeated the field with her time of 24.08, while capping her 400-meter performance with a time of 54.95.This time sets Wycoff to the No. 2 position in Division II.

The two Tiger relay teams earned first in their respective differences. First, the squad of Forbes, Wycoff, Yanoudji Diarra and Sharee Zombo captured the 4×100 with a time of 46.84, a provisional mark and personal record for the group. In the 4×400 relay, Lindsay Schupe, Diarra, Forbes and Wycoff ran away from the field with their top time of 3:57.57.

Three first place finishes were completed in field events for Fort Hays State. Leading the way was Madison Wolf who continues her streak of winning every meet on the season, as she topped the javelin field with her provisional throw of 155 feet, 10 inches. Teammate Alexcia Deutscher was close behind in the runner-up position while also claiming a provisional at her distance of 143 feet, 5 inches. Two Tigers finished in the top-three in the pole vault, with Selam Ball claiming the field at 12 feet 3 ½ inches, a provisional mark. Halie Turner hit a height of 11 feet, 11 ¾ inches to come in third place. Summer Kragel out-jumped her competitors in the high jump, winning the event at 5 feet, 2 ¼ inches.

The Tigers are next in action April 19-21 as they travel to Lawrence for the Kansas Relays.

KEARNEY, Neb. – After moving up their competition to today, the Fort Hays State men’s track and field team wasn’t fazed by the shorter preparation time. The Tigers produced seven first place finishes, while earning five provisional marks at the UNK Loper Invitational held in Kearney.

The winning for the Tigers started Wednesday night as three athletes swept the top spots in the 5,000-meter run. Oscar Carmona won the event with his time of 15:03.91, followed by teammates Robbie Schmidt (15.17.97) and Layton Werth (15:28.71).

Malcom Gardner captured his provisional, while also claiming the top place in the 200-meter with his time of 20.97, a new personal record. Gardner also finished in the runner-up position in the 400-meters, coming in at 49.05. Kyle Comstock ran away with the first place finish in the 110 hurdles, finishing the task in 14.70. In the longer hurdles at 400-meters, Weston Riner claimed the victory at 54.85. Israel Barco took the 3,000-meter steeplechase event, clocking a time of 9:49.81.

The Tigers also remained dominate in field events, starting with Kolt Newell earning both first place and a provisional in the high jump with his height of 6 feet, 8 ¾ inches. Two provisionals were met in the pole vault, as Jake Morrow finished in the runner-up position at 16 feet, 9 ¼ inches, followed by teammate Sam Dreiling coming in just below at 16 feet, 7 ¼ inches. TJ Dozier claimed his first place in the discus with a throw of 173 feet, 9 inches. This mark was also good enough for a provisional. Dozier earned his second provisional by finishing in second place in the hammer throw, boasting a distance of 188 feet, 10 inches. Derek Bixenman also earned a runner-up finish in the javelin throw, going for 173 feet, 9 inches.

Fort Hays State is back in action April 19-21 as they travel to Lawrence for the Kansas Relays.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Fort Hays State dropped both games of a doubleheader at Missouri Western on Thursday (Apr. 12). The Tigers had a brief lead in the first game before the Griffons rallied for six unanswered runs in a 7-2 decision. In the nightcap, the Tigers could not find a timely hit in several run-scoring opportunities and fell 1-0.

Game 1: Missouri Western 7, Fort Hays State 2
Fort Hays State held a brief lead of 2-1 after a Bailey Boxberger 2-RBI double with the bases loaded in the top of the third inning. However, Missouri Western took the lead back in the bottom half of the third when Lonnie Groves hit a 2-out, 2-run home run. The Griffons pulled away steadily from that point and won by a final of 7-2.

The Griffons initially took the lead with a run in the second inning on a two-out RBI double before the Tigers scored their only runs in the third. The Griffons went on to plate runs in all of their turns at the plate except the first inning. A solo homer added a run in the fourth, an error and RBI single brought home runs in the fifth, and another error produced a run in the sixth.

Sierra Rodriguez threw 4.2 innings in the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) on 11 hits with a strikeout. Megan Jamison relieved for a third of an inning. Hailey Chapman threw the final inning and allowed an unearned run, while yielding a walk.

Boxberger and Rodriguez each went 2-for-3 at the plate, both recording doubles in the game. Candace Bollig and Terran Caldwell scored the runs for FHSU in the second on Boxberger’s double.

Kenzie Hilzer tossed a complete game, allowing five hits and two walks, while striking out three. One of her two runs allowed were earned.

Game 2: Missouri Western 1, Fort Hays State 0
Fort Hays State had plenty of opportunities to tie or take a lead in the nightcap, but a single run by Missouri Western in the first inning held up. The Griffons took the game 1-0 to sweep the doubleheader.

With two outs in the first inning, Missouri Western used a double and a Lonnie Groves RBI single to generate its only run. From that point, Tiger pitcher Hailey Chapman held the Griffons to just two hits the rest of the way and just four overall for the game.

The Tigers outhit the Griffons 6-4 in the game, but had nothing to show for it in the run column. In the first inning, the Tigers had runners reach first and third with one out thanks to a Griffon error. However, immediately following, a pop up on the infield and a fly out to left field ended the threat. In the second inning, the Tigers had consecutive singles with one out to put runners at first and second, but a foul out and line out ended that threat.

The Tigers had another excellent opportunity in the fourth when they had a pair of singles to open the inning. However, the Tigers’ struggled to move runners again with a strikeout, interference on the next play by a runner, and then a groundout to end the inning.

In the fifth, the Tigers got a runner on with one out due to an error, but then grounded into a double play to end another threat. With one out in the sixth, Grace Philop doubled, moved to third on a fielder’s choice, but a groundout ended another chance at a run. FHSU went down in order in the seventh inning, suffering its 20th straight loss away from Hays.

Kaili Hinds scattered six hits to go with two strikeouts in her complete game win for the Griffons. Hailey Chapman took another tough-luck loss, allowing just one run on four hits with five strikeouts. Grace Philop was the lone Tiger with a pair of hits in the game, going 2-for-3 at the dish.

Fort Hays State remains two games back of eighth place in the MIAA standings after Nebraska-Kearney lost twice to Northwest Missouri State. Nebraska-Kearney, Emporia State, Lindenwood, and Missouri Southern are all four games under .500 in MIAA play.

Another schedule adjustment has been made for Friday’s doubleheader at Northwest Missouri State. The games will begin at 10 am in Maryville, Mo.

KEARNEY, Neb. – Despite putting up 17 runs on a season-high 19 hits, the Fort Hays State baseball team came up on the losing end of an offensive extravaganza Wednesday, falling to Nebraska-Kearney in the Tigers’ final trip to Memorial Field, 26-17. The Tigers tallied four home runs in the loss while the Lopers totaled eight long balls, one off the conference record.

Fort Hays State is now 13-23 on the year and 5-17 in MIAA play, while UNK improves to 20-15 overall and 13-8 in conference action.

The lead changed hands five times in the back-and-forth affair before the Lopers took control once and for all with a seven-run fifth inning. At least one runner reached base in all but one half-inning. Both teams had plenty of other scoring opportunities, both stranding nine runners on base.

After being shut out by UNK two weeks ago in Hays, the Tigers came out with a vengeance, pushing across three runs on three hits in the first inning thanks to Cody Starkel’s opposite-field home run. The Lopers responded with a five-spot in the first to take a two run lead after one frame.

The Tigers closed within one when Marcus Altman, who reached on a double into the right field corner, came in to score on an RBI groundout from Jason Nicholson. Following a pair of two-out base hits, Alex Weiss sent an outside pitch soaring over the fence in right center, plating a trio of runs to give the Tigers the lead once again, 7-5.

The Lopers had two runners reach base in the bottom of the second, but a double play ended what would prove to be the only scoreless inning for UNK all afternoon.

Fort Hays State doubled its lead when it manufactured a pair of runs in the third. Starkel pulled the first pitch into the left field corner for a double before Ryan Grasser worked a walk. Starkel later came in to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Altman before Nicholson picked up his second RBI of the day with a sharp single to center, stretching the FHSU advantage to 9-5.

Nebraska-Kearney went back in front with six runs across the next two innings, but the Tigers still had a few tricks up their sleeves. The bottom three of the order all reached base to open the top of the fifth, bringing leadoff man Addison Kaasch to the plate with the bases loaded. The infielder swung at the first pitch he saw, pulling a line drive just over the wall inside the left field foul pole for FHSU’s first grand slam of the season. Kaasch’s third home run of the season put the Tigers in front yet again, 13-11.

The home team went in front for good after swatting three home runs in the fifth inning, grabbing an 18-13 lead in the process. After the Lopers tacked on three more runs in the sixth, Fort Hays State rallied for four seventh-inning runs to close within 21-17. Kaasch led off with a double before coming around to score on Weiss’ second home run of the game, this time a two-run blast to straightaway center.

Starkel kept the inning alive with a two-out single down the line before a pitch hit Grasser and an error allowed Jordan Wilkerson to reach and load the bases. Altman and Nicholson followed with back-to-back singles, both driving in a run to keep the Tigers within striking distance.

Kaasch and Weiss both finished a triple shy of the cycle, picking up four hits apiece on the day. Four other Tigers collected multiple base knocks, including three each for Starkel and Altman. Weiss drove in a career-high five RBI after recording his first multi-homer game as a Tiger. Cole Schumacher struck out three batters in two innings of relief, while Austin Weiser (1-1) took the loss.

The Tigers will return to Larks Park on Thursday (April 12) when they take on Northeastern State in a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.