HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State men’s track and field won four events at the Alex Francis Classic (Mar. 31) on Friday. The Tigers finished second as a team. Nebraska-Kearney took home the team title with 452.5 points, followed by FHSU with 430 points. Men’s and women’s team scores were combined to determine an overall champion, but the Tiger men and women were second to UNK in points generated on both sides.

The Tigers were outstanding in the field events with four athletes finishing in the top three in their respective events. TJ Dozier took home first place in the discus throw (163 feet, 8 inches) and followed that with a second place finish in the hammer throw (175 feet, 8 inches). The effort in the discus was good enough for an NCAA provisional qualifying mark, ranking him 13th in the nation on the young outdoor season. Kolt Newell also placed twice with a second place finish in the long jump (21 feet, 5 inches) and a third place leap in the high jump (6 feet, 4.75 inches). Sam Dreiling tied for first and Jake Morrow took third in the pole vault with efforts of 15 feet, 8.5 inches and 14 feet, 8.75 inches respectively.

On the track, the Tigers claimed a pair of first place and second place finishes, as well as three third place finishes. Decano Cronin picked up a title in the 800 meter run with a time of 1:53.12 and teamed up with Dillando Allotey, Brett Meyer and Keith Dryden for a first place finish in the 1600 meter relay with a time of 3:20.75.

Second place finishers for the Tigers were Meyer in the 800 meters (1:53.82), Weston Riner in the 400 meter hurdles (56.28 seconds), Oscar Carmona in the 1500 meters (4:09.12), and Cameron Fouts in the javelin (176 feet, 5 inches). The third place finishers for FHSU were Kaleb Crum in the 5000 meters (15:07.71), Jonathan Penrose in the 110 meter hurdles (15.75 seconds), Derek Bixenman in the javelin (167 feet, 11 inches) and the combination of Allotey, Dryden, Penrose and Kyle Comstock in the 400 meter relay (42.50 seconds).

The Tigers will be back in action next week when they compete at the Friends Invitational, April 7-8, in Wichita, Kan.

FHSU Sports Information

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – A late rally by the Fort Hays State baseball team came up just short Friday afternoon (March 31) against Northeastern State, with the RiverHawks holding on to win 5-4. Ty Redington pulled the Tigers within one with a two-run home run in the top of the ninth, but the RiverHawks slammed the door.

The Tigers dip to 8-20 this season and 1-14 in the MIAA after the loss, while Northeastern State is now 15-11 overall and 9-6 in league action. FHSU outhit the RiverHawks, 9-7, but the Tigers were unable to capitalize on their chances, leaving nine runners on base.

After both pitchers worked around baserunners in the first two innings, NSU broke through in the third with a solo home run. They extended their lead to 4-0 with a trio of runs in the sixth before adding the eventual game-winning run in the eighth.

Fort Hays State was held without a base knock for more than four innings after collecting three hits in the first two frames. Trevor Hughes opened the inning with a single to right before the next two batters grounded into a fielder’s choice. Bryce Witchurch picked up a two-out single before Cody Starkel worked a walk to load the bases for Colton Helm. The left fielder knocked in a run with a single to right, plating Dayton Pomeroy. Redington was then hit by a pitch, allowing Witchurch to score and moving the Tigers within 4-2.

Defensive replacement Marcus Altman worked a walk in the top of the ninth before Redington came through with a home run to left. The game appeared to end when Nick Hammeke grounded out, but he was granted first base on an appeal. The Tigers couldn’t capitalize on the second chance, with NSU striking out the final batter of the game.

Ben Ramberg (0-7) took the loss after giving up just one earned run on five hits over six innings of work. Zac Rothert came on to throw the final two innings, surrendering one run on two hits while striking out four.

Hughes was the only Tiger to collect multiple hits, finishing 2-for-4 with two singles. Redington drove in three of the four runs, going 1-for-4 with his third home run of the season.

The rest of the series will be played as a doubleheader on Saturday (April 1), with first pitch moved up to 11:30 a.m.

FHSU Sports Information

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State could not avoid being swept for the second straight day in conference play, falling 5-0 and 5-4 to Pittsburg State on Friday (Mar. 31). Pittsburg State’s Emmie Robertson continued her mastery of FHSU, combining with Bree Cornett for a no-hitter in Game 1 before throwing the final 5.2 innings of Game 2 in a comeback win. PSU moved to 28-10 overall and 7-3 in the MIAA, while FHSU went to 9-27 overall and 2-8 in the MIAA.

Game 1: Pittsburg State 5, Fort Hays State 0

After throwing a complete game no-hitter against Fort Hays State last year in Pittsburg, reigning MIAA Pitcher of the Year Emmie Robertson pushed her streak of no-hit innings against FHSU to 11 by throwing the first four innings of Game 1. Pittsburg State had two errors while she was in the circle, but she also hit a batter and allowed a walk, while striking out four.

Down 3-0 when Robertson exited the game, the Tigers struggled even more against left-handed reliever Bree Cornett, who was perfect over the final three innings to pick up her first save of the season and combine with Robertson for a no-hitter. Cornett struck out five. Going enough innings to qualify for the win, Robertson moved to 18-4 on the year.

PSU broke a scoreless tie with an RBI single in the third. Two more RBI singles in the fourth pushed the lead to 3-0. Another RBI single in the sixth and a misplay in the field allowed two runs to score for PSU in the sixth. Carrie Clarke took the loss for FHSU, throwing all seven innings with 10 hits and four walks allowed. She struck out two and PSU earned four of her five runs allowed.

Game 2: Pittsburg State 5, Fort Hays State 4

By limiting Emmie Robertson’s time in the circle in Game 1, Pittsburg State coach Elizabeth Economon had the luxury of Robertson being available as a reserve in Game 2. The moved paid off, as Robertson was nearly flawless over the final 5.2 innings of Game 2 to earn her second win of the day and move to 19-4 on the year.

The Tigers jumped all over Gorilla starting pitcher Brittany Beaudet and built a 4-1 lead through two innings. Bailey Kennedy led off the first inning with a single, Veronica Knittig drew a walk, and then Candace Bollig came through with a 2-RBI triple down the right field line. The Tigers extended a 2-1 lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the second when Kylie Strand walked, Jeni Mohr followed with an RBI triple, and Kennedy had an RBI single. Robertson entered the game with just one out recorded in the second inning and proceeded to shut down the Tigers for the remainder of the game.

Hailey Chapman could not dance out of danger in the third as Pittsburg State rallied for four runs all on two outs. With runners at second and third Chapman got a groundout to get the second out without runners moving, but a two-RBI double by Lawren McKinney off the left field wall triggered the rally for the Gorillas. Then Kristen VanHoosen drove a double to the left-center gap that Kennedy on a full run could not hang on to and the tying run crossed the plate. Tiara Ewy pushed the Gorillas in the lead with an RBI single. PSU went on to load the bases, but Chapman finally got out of the jam with a strikeout, avoiding any more damage.

That was enough for a confident Robertson in the circle. She recorded the first out of the third inning before allowing her first hit of the day on a hard-hit ball up the middle by Candace Bollig that went off a lunging shortstop’s glove. Robertson’s no-hit streak against the Tigers ended right at 12 innings going back to the start of her no-hitter last year in Pittsburg. That was the only hit she allowed to the Tigers until the seventh inning, as they were so close to pushing the tying run across.

After Robertson mowed through the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, Jeni Mohr opened the bottom of the seventh with a laser shot up the middle for a base hit. Bailey Kennedy sacrificed Mohr to second and then Lily Sale hit a rifle through the left side for the second hit of the inning, putting runners at first and third. Sale stole second base, giving the Tigers two chances to either tie or win the game with runners in scoring position.

Veronica Knittig poked a ball to about medium depth left-center field that looked possibly deep enough to score a tagging runner from third. However, at the time of the catch the runner at third was not in tagging position, still not back to the base from taking a few steps down the line opting not to potentially run into the third out of the game. Bailey Boxberger then hit a soft pop up off the end of her bat along the first base line that the first baseman dove and caught to end the game.

Robertson, who struck out four in the first game, punched out 10 in the second game. She allowed three hits and walked just one in the winning relief effort.

Chapman took the loss for FHSU, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks. She struck out three.

Fort Hays State heads on the road early next week for conference games at Lincoln and Lindenwood, then later in the week travels to Emporia State and Washburn.

FHSU Sports Information

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State will be hosting the 23rd annual Alex Francis Classic at the brand new FHSU Track and Field Facility on Friday (Mar. 31). The college meet moved up to Friday from its original scheduled date of Saturday, while the high school portion was canceled earlier in the week.

A final adjustment was made on Thursday to the schedule of field events. The events will be split into three separate venues. The jumping events will be held at noon at the field inside the new facility to kick off the day. The javelin and shot put events were relocated to Hays High School, also starting at noon. Discus will also be held there, starting at 1:30 p.m. The final change made was to the hammer throw, which will take place at the old Fort Hays State Intramural Fields just beyond the Tiger Stadium (softball field) outfield fence, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

The Tigers have several standout athletes competing in the event. Leading the pack are 2017 NCAA Indoor Track and Field All-Americans Dillando Allotey and Brett Meyer, as well as national qualifier Decano Cronin. Allotey will be running in the 100-meter dash on Friday, while Meyer will compete in the 400-meter run. Cronin will be competing in the 800-meter run as well as the 400-meters.

The only outdoor provisional mark for the FHSU men so far belongs to pole vaulter Sam Dreiling. Dreiling hit the qualifying mark at the Tigers’ only outdoor competition so far when he vaulted 15 feet, 11 inches at the ESU Spring Twilight on March 17.

Tiger women to watch on Friday are Kelly Wycoff and Alexcia Deutscher, both with provisional marks on the year, as well as 2016 All-American Estefania Lopez. Wycoff started the outdoor season hitting national qualifying marks in both the 100 meters (11.98) and 200 meters (24.47), while Deutscher hit her mark in the javelin throw with a toss of 145 feet, 1 inch at the ESU Spring Twilight on March 17. Lopez, who has yet to throw this season, is a two-time All-American for FHSU in the javelin and also holds the program record with a throw of 173 feet, 8 inches.

Below is a list of all teams competing:
Fort Hays State
McPherson (Kan.) College
Pratt (Kan.) Community College
Nebraska-Kearney
Northwest Kanas Tech
Dodge City (Kan.) Community College
Colorado College

FHSU Sports Information

HAYS, Kan. – Missouri Southern handed Fort Hays State its first two home losses of the season on Thursday, March 30 at Tiger Stadium. The Lions swept a conference doubleheader by scores of 12-3 and 5-4, moving to 15-24 overall and 4-6 in the MIAA, while the Tigers moved to 9-25 overall and 2-6 in the MIAA.

Game 1: Missouri Southern 12, Fort Hays State 3

Following a scoreless first inning by both teams, Missouri Southern erupted for 11 of its 12 runs over the second and third innings to put the first game away early. Tess Gray had a terrific game at the plate with three RBI, nearly missing a total of five by a couple of feet.

After Missouri Southern scored three runs in the second inning on back-to-back doubles with two outs, the Tigers were just a couple feet from tying the game back up in the bottom half of the inning when Tess Gray drove a ball deep to left field with a pair of runners on. Unfortunately, it hit the top of the wall and turned into just a double in what looked like a potential game-tying home run as it left the bat. The smash double off the wall scored one and left runners at second and third with one out.

That is when Fort Hays State’s recent repetitive struggles at driving in runs with less than two outs returned, unable to get more runs across with a comebacker to the pitching circle and a foul pop up just to the left of home plate. Missouri Southern escaped the second with a 3-1 lead.

Following the missed opportunity, Missouri Southern chased Tiger starting pitcher Carrie Clarke from the game. Clarke was unable to record an out in the the third, facing five batters that all recorded hits (four singles and a double). In the blink of an eye, the Tigers trailed 6-1. Lexie Kimminau relieved Clarke and struggled to find outs as well. She chose to throw home on a sacrifice bunt attempt by the first batter she faced and was too late as another run crossed, making it 7-1. Another single made it 8-1 before the Tigers recorded an out in the inning. Then a pair of wild pitches scored two more runs and then a fielding error was responsible for the eighth run of the inning. When the dust settled, Missouri Southern led 11-1 heading to the bottom half of the third. Another RBI single by MSSU in the fourth made it 12-1.

Gray wound up with all three RBI in the game for FHSU by hitting a two-run home run in the fourth to make it 12-3. If the hit in the second inning were a bit higher, she could have had a two-homer, five-RBI game to that point. Bailey Kennedy also had a pair of hits for FHSU in the game, while Candace Bollig had one. The Tigers had runners at first and second with one out in the fifth, but a double play ended the threat and game as the run-rule went into effect.

Clarke finished with eight runs allowed on 10 hits in two innings of work. Kimminau allowed four runs (three earned) in an inning of work. Hailey Chapman recorded the final six outs of the game, holding the Lions scoreless.

Sydney Koch went the distance for Missouri Southern, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks. She struck out two.

Game 2: Missouri Southern 5, Fort Hays State 4

Missouri Southern led twice before coming back a third and final time with a run in the sixth to break a 4-4 tie. Abi Corbett’s two-out RBI single was the difference in a sweep for the Lions.

Missouri Southern took a 1-0 lead in the first on an unearned run, but Fort Hays State responded with doubles by Bailey Kennedy and Veronica Knittig in the bottom half of the inning to even the score.

The Lions scored twice in the second inning, but the Tigers finally received clutch two-out hitting from Bailey Boxberger and Candace Bollig. Boxberger had a double off the left field wall to score one run, then Bollig dropped a two-RBI single down the right field line to push the Tigers in front 4-3.

Kylie Wesbrooks of MSSU knotted the score for the second time in the game with an RBI double in the fourth.

The Tigers had chances to pull ahead again with runners in scoring position in both the fourth and fifth innings with less than two outs. The missed chances were costly when Corbett laced the game-winning RBI single through the left side in the sixth. Veronica Knittig had a one-out double in the seventh, but a strikeout looking and comebacker to the mound ended the game.

Sydney Koch, who won the first game for MSSU, picked up the save in the nightcap by getting the final two outs of the game. Starter Taurean Guzman picked up the win in 6.1 innings of work. She allowed 10 hits and a walk, while striking out two.

Hailey Chapman took the loss for FHSU, despite throwing a complete game. She allowed five runs (four earned) on 11 hits and four walks. She struck out four.

The Tigers host Pittsburg State in a conference doubleheader on Friday. The doubleheader will serve as the annual “Jam Pack Tiger Stadium” game. An enhanced concession lineup will be available with burgers, brats and chips.

FHSU Sports Information