HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State split a doubleheader at home with Newman University on Wednesday. The Tigers rallied in the final inning to take game one, 4-3, before falling in game two, 9-5. FHSU is now 14-38 overall, while Newman moved to 14-32 overall.

Game 1: Fort Hays State 4, Newman 3
Fort Hays State could not solve Newman pitcher Jensen Cromer through the first six innings of the game, but put together a furious rally in the final inning to turn a 3-0 deficit into a 4-3 walk-off win.

Newman put together single runs in the second, third, and seventh innings to build its 3-0 lead in the game. The final run in the seventh came in courtesy of a Tiger error.

In the bottom of the seventh, Veronica Knittig triggered the Tiger rally with a single to open the inning. Collette West walked, then the game-turning play occurred with Claudia Vazquez at the dish with one out. Vazquez laid down a well-placed bunt for a single, but the pitcher’s late throw to first base sailed down the right field line allowing Knittig and West to score. Vazquez motored all the way to third. Bailey Kennedy tied the game with another well-placed bunt for a single and Vazquez dashed home to get around a potential tag from the catcher to tie the game.

Jeni Mohr added an infield single to set the stage for Candace Bollig to deliver the walk-off heroics. She drove a ball into the right-center field gap for a double, plating Kennedy from second.

Hailey Chapman benefitted from the late rally for the win in the pitching circle. She earned her ninth win with a complete game, allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits and a walk. She struck out six.

Game 2: Newman 9, Fort Hays State 5
Five Tiger errors led to seven unearned Newman runs, making a difference that the Tigers could not overcome.

The game saw eight runs scored between the teams in the first inning. Two of the Newman runs in the first frame were unearned, but the Tigers rallied for five in the bottom half of the inning to take a 5-3 lead. FHSU had six hits in the inning. Candace Bollig started the run-scoring parade with an RBI triple. Bailey Boxberger knocked her home with a single. Veronica Knittig notched an RBI double and later Kylie Strand brought two home with a single.

A throwing error by the Tigers in the second led to Newman taking the lead back for good at 6-5. Two more runs were unearned in that frame. The final three runs of the game for Newman were unearned, picking up two in the third and one in the fifth.

Carrie Clark took the loss, allowing nine runs (two earned) on 11 hits and three walks. She struck out three. Newman pitcher Kate Smith settled in after a rough first inning, holding the Tigers scoreless the rest of the way. She allowed 12 hits (half of that total in the first inning) with two walks and two strikeouts.

Fort Hays State will host Nebraska-Kearney in the final MIAA doubleheader of the season on Saturday at Tiger Stadium. The doubleheader, which will serve as Senior Day, starts at 2 pm.

FHSU Sports Information

HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State men’s golf team wrapped up competition at the 2017 Tiger Classic Wednesday afternoon (April 19) at Smoky Hill Country Club. The players battled blustery winds all day, leading to a tournament scoring average nearly three strokes higher than Tuesday (Round 3 – 78.52, Rounds 1 & 2 combined – 76.0).

The Tigers placed ninth in the home event, dropping two spots from seventh after day one. FHSU posted a 325 in the final round, bringing its three-round total to 927. Individually, Skyler Tebo finished in a tie for 11th after posting a 7-over 77 on day two and finishing 11-over 221 for the tournament.

Isaiah Grover signed for an 82 in round three, finishing 36th with a 231. Colton Bobek matched Isaiah’s round of 82, placing 50th with a 236. Cash Hobson shot 84 to place 53rd (239) with Dalton Ayres rounding out the scoring with an 86, finishing 65th (252).

Competing as an individual, Marcus Willey posted the second-best round for a Tiger Wednesday, carding a 10-over 80 to finish 59th (241). Marshal Hutchins recorded a third round score of 81, rounding out the week with a 248 (63rd). Jake Weller finished round three with an 82 to shoot 239 for the week (53rd).

Central Missouri took the team title, finishing 12-over 852 through three rounds, 29 strokes better than second place Lindenwood (881). UCM had individuals finish first, second and tied for third, including individual champion Alex Springer (2-under 208).

The Tigers will regroup and head to Spring Hill, Kan. next week for the MIAA Championship (April 24-26). The team will play a single round each day, Monday through Wednesday, at Sycamore Ridge Golf Club.

Fort Hays State baseball has altered its weekend schedule. With the weather forecast calling for a high probability of rain in Hays Friday, the three-game series with Missouri Southern will now be played Saturday through Monday. Saturday’s game starts at 6 pm. Sunday will begin at 3 pm and Monday’s series finale will start at noon.

Pack the Park activities scheduled for Friday are being moved back at week and will take place on April 28 when the Tigers host Pittsburg State at 7 pm.

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State Men’s Golf sits in seventh place out of 11 teams after two rounds at the MIAA mandated Tiger Classic, held at Smoky Hill Country Club. FHSU shot rounds of 305 and 297 as a team.

Individually, Skyler Tebo is tied for seventh after rounds of 73 and 71 and sits 4-over par. Tebo, along with Isaiah Grover (73, 76) and Colton Bobek (79, 75), were the three Tigers to shoot under 80 in both rounds. Cash Hobson improved five strokes in the second round with a 75 after opening with an 80.

Central Missouri gained major separation from the field after shooting 7-under as a team in the second round. The Mules are at even par overall with a two-round team score of 560. Lindenwood is 20 strokes back in second at 580 as a team.

Alex Springer of Central Missouri had a huge turnaround after a first-round 76. Springer set a new Smoky Hill Country Club course record in the second round by shooting 61 (9-under par). He is now 3-under par overall for the tournament, leading by four strokes. After an even-par 70 was the best score in the first round, five players in the field shot under par in the second round.

The tournament concludes on Wednesday with the final round starting at 8:30 am.

FHSU Sports Information

HAYS, Kan. – Nebraska-Kearney hit back-to-back home runs in a four-run third inning and beat Fort Hays State baseball 9-2 Tuesday evening at Larks Park. Dallas Schramm hit a three-run blast followed by a solo shot from Josh Estrada to go up 5-0.

Steve Johnson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

Bryce Witchurch got the Tigers (9-30, 2-24 MIAA) got the Tigers on the board with a solo homer to lead off the bottom of the third. He drove in their other run on a sixth inning ground out.

Alex Ruxlow (4-8) took the loss for the Tigers lasting two-plus innings. He surrendered five runs (four earned), while giving up six hits. Ben Ramburg threw three strong innings of relief, giving up a run on two hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Cole Schumacher allowed three runs in 1 1/3 innings. Ryan Ruder and Jackson Rolfs blanked UNK (13-26, 6-20 MIAA).

The Tiger homestand continues this weekend when they welcome Missouri Southern State to town. The first pitch of the three-game series will take place at 7 pm on Friday and can be heard on KJLS (103.3-FM).