FHSU Sports Infomation

Fort Hays State earned a split in the doubleheader against Northwest Missouri State on Saturday at Larks Park. The Tigers won game one in comeback fashion 7-6 with a walk-off RBI single, but fell in game two 7-5. FHSU moved to 6-16 overall and 5-14 in the MIAA, while Northwest Missouri State moved to 14-9 overall and 10-6 in the MIAA.

Game 1: Fort Hays State 7, Northwest Missouri State 6
Horace Johnson had a two-out RBI walk-off single in game one to push the Tigers to a 7-6 victory. Down 6-5 heading to the bottom of the seventh, FHSU rallied for two runs for the comeback win.

Casey Sedbrook started the seventh-inning rally with a single through the right side of the infield and then moved up to second on a throwing error by the pitcher on a pick off attempt. A sacrifice bunt by Nick Hammeke moved Sedbrook to third. After a walk by Jordan Miller, Gus Strunk also drew a walk, but on ball four the Bearcat catcher dropped the ball and it went all the way to the backstop, allowing Sedbrook to score on the passed ball to tie the game. With two outs and runners at first and second, Johnson delivered the clutch single to plate Miller from second for the Tiger win.

The Tigers trailed 3-0 through three and a half innings, but got a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Kodie Fewin came in to score on a ground ball double play off the bat of Nick Hammeke and the Tigers later took advantage of a Bearcat error as Clayton Garland had a RBI single.

Northwest Missouri pushed its lead out to four runs with three in the top of the sixth, but FHSU answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning, all via the long ball. Garland had a two-run homer, followed by a solo shot from Johnson to make it 6-5 in favor of NWMSU.

Ty Thomas retired the two batters he faced in relief in the top of the seventh, then Nathan Briar entered to get the final out of the inning. That set the stage for the Tiger comeback in the bottom half of the inning. Briar moved to 1-0 on the season with the win.

Austin Unrein pitched well in his start for FHSU. He went 6.0 innings and allowed six runs (just three earned) on five hits with a walk and seven strikeouts.

Jon Pomatto took the loss in relief, who entered at the start of the seventh with the one-run lead. He moved to 0-1 on the year.

Game 2: Northwest Missouri State 7, Fort Hays State 5
The Tigers had the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Jordan Miller’s looping fly ball to left field hung up too long, allowing the fielder to get under it and secure the win for Northwest Missouri State.

The Tigers were in control of the game through three innings, leading 3-0, until the Bearcats erupted for five runs in the fourth all on two outs. A walk, pair of singles, triple, and two-run home run generated the five runs turning the game around in a flash. That rally chased FHSU starter Tyler Patty from the mound, who went 3.2 innings allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks. He struck out two and took the loss, now 1-3 on the season.

The Bearcats extended their lead to 7-3 in the top of the fifth with a two-run home run off FHSU reliever Ty Thomas. Thomas pitched effectively for FHSU, going 3.0 innings with five hits allowed. Nick Hammeke got the final out of the seventh, keeping the Bearcats from rallying for any more runs.

The two-run blast in the fifth by NWMSU was too much to overcome as the Tigers could only get one in the sixth and one in the seventh. Miller provided an RBI double in the sixth and Horace Johnson led off the seventh with a solo home run.

Hondo Pearcy was the winning pitcher for Northwest Missouri, going 5.1 innings with four runs allowed on nine hits and two walks. He struck out three. Rob Henrichs relieved for 1.0 innings and allowed one run before yielding to Daulton Perry, who recorded his first save of the season by getting the final two outs of the game.

The Tigers and Bearcats conclude the four-game conference series on Sunday (Mar. 23) at Larks Park. Game time is set for 1 pm.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State split a road conference doubleheader with Central Oklahoma on Saturday in Edmond, Okla.  The Tigers won the first game, 4-1, in a late innings comeback before dropping Game 2, 9-1, in six innings.

FHSU (18-11, 8-4 MIAA) snapped UCO’s 35-game home win streak with the Game 1 victory, and is tied with Northeastern State for fourth in the conference standings.  UCO (22-8, 11-1 MIAA) moved to second in the standings with the split.

The Tigers return to Hays, Kan., next week for an eight-game homestand, beginning Tuesday (March 25) with a doubleheader against Metro State.

Game 1: FHSU 4, UCO 1
Fort Hays State scored four late inning runs to secure a comeback victory over Central Oklahoma in Game 1 of the doubleheader.

Paxton Duran (10-5) followed up a no-hitter in her last time out with a complete game performance (her third in the last four games), striking out four and scattering three hits.

Offensively, Courtney Dobson was 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored, while Rilee Krier was 2-for-3 and Kylie Strand finished 1-for-2 with a walk and a run.

UCO took a 1-0 lead in the fourth, as Brooke Zukerman homered to center field, but the lead was short lived as FHSU answered in the sixth.

In the sixth, Krier and Dobson started the inning with back-to-back singles, but havoc ensued when Amanda Vaupel grounded to third base, as Krier was out at third with UCO shortstop Hannah Justus covered, but when trying to complete the double play, Justus overthrew first base, allowing Dobson to wheel around to score and Vaupel to reach third, tying the game.  In the next at-bat, Danie Brinkmann’s sacrifice fly to right field scored Vaupel to give FHSU a 2-1 advantage.

FHSU added insurance runs in the seventh, starting with Kylie Strand’s leadoff single up the middle before taking second on Tori Beltz’s sacrifice bunt.  With one down, Kellsi Olsen walked to put runners on first and second.  Later in the inning, Krier’s bunt single loaded the bases with two outs for Dobson, who singled through the left side to plate Strand and Olsen, putting the Tigers ahead three (4-1) with one half-inning to play.

Game 2: UCO 9, FHSU 1
Fort Hays State mustered seven hits in the doubleheader finale, but couldn’t overcome a hot UCO offense that exploded for nine runs on 11 hits.

Kelsy Kinninau (7-4) took the loss, throwing 3.2 innings with five runs allowed (four earned) on six hits.  Kimminau struck out two before Katlyn Kern closed out the final 1.1 innings, allowing four runs on five hits.

Rilee Krier and Danie Brinkmann were 2-for-3 at the plate, as Krier had the Tigers lone RBI, scoring Kelli Koehhler, Kylie Strand, Callie Wright and Samantha Villarreal had the Tigers’ other hits.

UCO jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first, taking advantage of three hits and an FHSU error before tacking on one run in both the third and fourth innings.

Down 5-0 in the fifth, Villarreal led off the inning with a pinch hit single before Koehler replaced her at first base.  With one out, Koehler moved to second on Bianca Adame’s sacrifice bunt and came around to score when Krier took an 0-0 pitch into center field for an RBI single.

That was it for the Tigers, however, as UCO scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth before enacting the run-rule with a solo home run in the sixth.

 

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State baseball fell in the opening game of a four-game series with Northwest Missouri State on Friday evening (Mar. 21) by a score of 18-4. The Bearcats won the game by run rule after seven innings, moving to 13-8 overall and 9-5 in the MIAA. FHSU dropped to 5-15 overall and 4-13 in the MIAA.

Leading just 1-0 after two innings, Northwest Missouri State errupted for 12 runs in the third inning to put the game away. After a sacrifice fly scored the first run of the inning, NWMSU loaded the bases with one out and then Austin Wulff hit a grand slam to push the lead to 6-0 in a flash. A dropped fly ball later in the inning led to the last four runs of the inning being unearned.

Gus Strunk had a sacrifice fly RBI in the third to give FHSU its first run. The Tigers picked up three more runs in the bottom of the seventh, but it was too little too late as the Bearcats won by run rule. In the seventh, Austin Unrein had a two-RBI double and Strunk had another RBI on a fielder’s choice.

Steven Federau took the loss for FHSU, now 1-4. He lasted 2.1 innings and allowed nine runs (eight earned) on seven hits and two walks. Drew Martineau threw 1.0 innings, allowing six runs (one earned) on six hits. Nathan Zimmerman went the final 3.2 innings for FHSU, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with four walks and one strikeout.

Ryker Fox threw a complete game for NWMSU, moving to 4-1 for the season. He allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks and struck out five.

The teams return to Larks Park on Saturday (Mar. 22) for a doubleheader beginning at 1 pm.

FHSU Sports Information

A no-hitter from Paxton Duran and an extra innings home run from Danie Brinkmann helped the Tiger softball team to a doubleheader sweep over Northeastern State on Friday (March 21).  Fort Hays State won the first game, 1-0, in Tahlequah, Okla., before taking Game 2, 3-0, in eight innings.

FHSU (17-10, 7-3 MIAA) had 12 hits over the two games while limiting NSU (20-10, 7-3 MIAA) to just two hits.

The Tigers are back in action Saturday (March 22) in Edmond, Okla., for a doubleheader with Central Oklahoma.  First pitch in that contest is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Game 1: FHSU 1, NSU 0
Fort Hays State’s Paxton Duran (9-5) pitched her first career no-hitter, striking out seven RiverHawks and allowing just two walks and one hit batter, retiring 20 of the 23 batters she faced in seven complete innings.

Duran’s seven strikeout effort was her fifth straight game with at least five strikeouts, and two less than her career-best mark of nine (achieved earlier in the five-game streak).  Additionally, the sophomore didn’t allow a runner past first base.

At the plate, Kellsi Olsen was 2-for-2 with an RBI single and a walk, while Kylie Strand was 1-for-3 with a double. Bianca Adame and Danie Brinkmann had the Tigers’ other two hits.

After issuing a leadoff walk in the second, Duran shut down the RiverHawks’ threat with three straight strikeouts, keeping a close game scoreless until the fifth.

With one out in the fifth, Strand took the first pitch she saw into right field for a double.  Later in the inning, with two outs, Olsen took advantage of the runner in scoring position by driving a 2-0 pitch into center for an RBI single, plating Strand and giving the Tigers the lead for good.

In the bottom of the fifth, NSU would get a base runner after Allyson Pogue was hit by a pitch, but a strikeout and a pop out ended the inning.

FHSU came close to adding insurance runs in the top of the seventh as Brinkmann singled with no outs before the Tigers’ loaded the bases with two down, but couldn’t capitalize on the scoring opportunity.

Game 2: FHSU 3, NSU 0 (8 Innings)
A two-out blast from Danie Brinkmann in the eighth inning helped the Tigers to a series sweep with a 3-0 victory in Game 2.

Brinkmann was 1-for-4 with three RBI, while Courtney Dobson was 2-for-4.  All told, FHSU had seven hits in the game, with Bianca Adame Amanda Vaupel, Callie Wright and Kellsi Olsen rounding out the offense.

Kelsey Kimminau (7-3) picked up the win, tossing a complete game with five strikeouts and scattering two hits.  Kimminau has now struck out at least five batters in four games this season, and allowed just one runner to reach second base.

FHSU came close to scoring in the fifth, as Tori Beltz led off by reaching on an error by Sarharra Henson before moving to second on Olsen’s one-out single to left.  Adame drew a walk to load the bases, but the Tigers couldn’t execute as the game remained scoreless.

Tied at 0-0 after the seventh, FHSU and NSU headed to extra innings, where a two-out single from Dobson started the Tigers’ final rally.  Vaupel followed with a double to right center, putting runners on second and third for Brinkmann, who drove a pitch over the right center wall to give FHSU a 3-0 lead.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State Softball dropped a road doubleheader to Arkansas Tech on Wednesday in Russellville, Ark.  The Tigers fell in Game 1, 3-2, before losing the second contest, 8-2.

The Tigers dropped to 15-10 overall on the season while Arkansas Tech is now 10-12 overall.

FHSU continues its road trip on Friday (March 20) in Tahlequah, Okla., to face Northeastern State.

Game 1: Arkansas Tech 3, FHSU 2
Fort Hays State let an early lead slip away in the first game of the doubleheader, as Paxton Duran (8-5) threw six complete innings in the loss.  Duran struck out eight batters for the second consecutive game, allowing three runs and four hits.

Bianca Adame led the team with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate, while Kylie Strand and Courtney Dobson  had RBIs.

FHSU jumped ahead with a two-run first inning.  Rilee Krier reached on a throwing error to start the game, and took second on the overthrow.  Adame moved Krier to third on a bunt single before stealing second.  Strand grounded out to the pitcher, but picked up the RBI as Krier came home and Adame reached third.  Dobson followed with a two-out single, plating Adame.

In the third, Arkansas used a 2-run home run and three total hits to take a 3-2 lead for good.

Game 2: Arkansas Tech 8, FHSU 2
Kelsey Kimminau (6-3) threw 3.0 innings in the loss, allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts. Katlyn Kern entered in the fourth, throwing 1.2 innings and giving up five runs, though none were earned. Jordan Jones pitched the final 1.1 innings, giving up one run and two hits.

At the plate, Kylie Strand and Samantha Villarreal were 2-for-3, while Courtney Dobson had a double and Kellsi Olsen blasted a home run.

Arkansas Tech took a 1-0 lead in the first, using two hits to score a run before stretching the lead to 2-0 in the third.

FHSU cut the lead in half in the fifth, when Olsen took a two out, 3-0 pitch over the left field fence.

In the fifth, Arkansas Tech put the game out of reach with six runs on four hits – taking advantage of two Tiger errors.

In the sixth, Danie Brinkmann singled to center field with two outs before Kelli Koehler pinch ran for her.  Koehler moved to third on Strand’s single to right field, and Villarreal drove her home with a single through the left side.  That, however, was as close as the Tigers could climb.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State sophomore point guard Craig Nicholson was named to the NABC All-District First Team for the 2013-14 season, released on Wednesday (Mar. 19). Nicholson adds this honor after earning Daktronics All-Central Region First Team honors just a week ago.

Nicholson joins five other players from the Central Region on the first team, which includes Rod Camphor of Southwestern Oklahoma State (GAC Player of the Year), DeShaun Cooper of Northwest Missouri State (MIAA Player of the Year), Josh Gibbs of Central Oklahoma, Assem Marei of Minnesota State, and Zach Monaghan of Minnesota State (NSIC Player of the Year).

Nicholson finished the season averaging 17.2 points per game and 7.4 assists per game. He shot 45.5 percent from the field and 80.2 percent from the free-throw line, setting a new single-season school record for free-throws made with 190. His 7.4 assists per game also set a new single-season record at FHSU and his 222 total assists were third most in a season in FHSU history. Nicholson scored in double figures in 25 of 30 games and dished out seven or more assists in 21 games. He posted four double-doubles in points and assists. Through two seasons at FHSU, Nicholson has 904 points and 414 assists. He already ranks third on the all-time assists list at FHSU.

2013-14 NABC All-District Team (Central Region)

First Team
Rod Camphor, Southwestern Oklahoma State
Deshaun Cooper, Northwest Missouri State
Josh Gibbs, Central Oklahoma
Assem Marei, Minnesota State
Zach Monaghan, Minnesota State
Craig Nicholson, Fort Hays State

Second Team
Marquis Addison, Missouri Southern
Dillon Deck, Central Missouri
Bryton Hobbs, Northeastern State
Kellen Taylor, Winona State
Joey Woods, Upper Iowa

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State men’s golf finished 10th at the Topeka Capitol Plaza Hotel Invitational hosted by Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. (Mar. 17-18). The tournament was held at Topeka Country Club, a par-71 venue. Grant Story led Fort Hays State by tying for 11th place.

The Tigers slipped from eighth place after two rounds to 10th, shooting 312 as a team on Tuesday after rounds of 309 and 305 on the first day of competition. The Tigers finished with at three-round total of 926. Central Oklahoma won the tournament as a team with a total of 875. Lindenwood was second at 883. FHSU was fourth among seven MIAA schools competing in the tournament.

Grant Storey led the Tigers by tying for 11th individually. He was tied for second after two rounds, fueled by a 2-under par 69 in his second round behind a first-round 74. However, he carded a 77 on Tuesday to slide back in the standings.

Trey Herman had the low round for the Tigers on the final day with a 75. That coupled with rounds of 77 and 79 tied him for 39th. Jeff Heptig tied for 63rd with rounds of 79, 82, and 77. Nick VonLintel tied for 73rd with rounds of 79, 80, and 83. Sam Christianson tied for 75th with rounds of 83, 77, and 83.

Greg MacAulay of Lindenwood won the individual title going low on Tuesday with a 6-under par 65. He shot that on the back end of a 72 and 71 on the first day. He was seven strokes clear of second-place finisher Logan Gray from Central Oklahoma.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State women’s golf finished fourth in the FHSU Invitational held in Mesa, Arizona (Mar. 17-18) at the Dobson Ranch Golf Course, a par-72 layout. Megan DeWerff tied for third individually and Samantha Hobson shot the low round of the tournament on Tuesday.

Lindenwood, trailing by one stroke after the first day of competition, jumped Northwest Missouri State for the team title with a two-round total of 652. The Lions outshot the Bearcats (661) by 11 strokes on Tuesday to win by nine. Southwest Minnesota State finished at 671 for third. FHSU shot 708 as a team.

Madelyn Piccininni of Lindenwood won the individual title, shooting two rounds of 79 for a 158 (+14 total). Her teammate Alanna Haynes was three strokes back in second. Megan DeWerff of Fort Hays State tied for third, shooting rounds of 82 and 80 for a total of 162, just four strokes back of the champion. She tied Taylor Gard of Northwest Missouri State, who matched DeWerff in each round.

Samantha Hobson had the round of the tournament on Tuesday, shooting a 4-over 76. She climbed to 13th in the individual standings after carding a 92 on the first day.

Natalie Bethel and Kaycee Beilman matched each other on the scorecard, both shooting 95 on the first day and 94 on the second day. They tied for 25th. Quillen Eichhorn was 28th with rounds of 101 and 96.

FHSU takes a week off before competing at the Tiburon Invitational, hosted by Concordia University-St. Paul in Omaha, Neb., March 30-31.