HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State women’s tennis team suffered a 7-0 MIAA loss to visiting Northeastern State on Monday. With the loss, the Tigers fall to 3-6 overall with an 0-4 conference mark. The RiverHawks improve to 4-6 while boasting 2-1 MIAA record.

The RiverHawks claimed all singles matches over the Tigers, starting with Tatjana Stoll claiming a 6-1, 6-1 win over Laura Jimenez-Lendinez in the No. 1 spot. At No. 2, Mayra Jovic defeated Lauren Lindell in a 6-1, 6-3 contest, while Betka Gombarova defeated Ellea Ediger 6-2, 6-0 at No. 3. Kristela Vidnere earned a 6-0, 6-2 win over Haley Weidemann with Karla Tomaic defeating Nicole Lubbers 6-0, 6-0 and Melissa Vera winning against Kimberly Stone, 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles play also went to the RiverHawks, with the 1-3 positions in favor of Northeastern State. The RiverHawk duo of Stoll and Jovic took down Lindell and Natalie Lubbers 6-1, with Betka Gombarova and Kristela VIdnere defeating FHSU’s No. 2 doubles of Nicole Lubbers and Jimenez-Lendinez, 2-6. In the final doubles contest of the day, NSU’s Emma Warnock and Tomaic defeated FHSU’s Ediger and Weidemann, 6-2.

The Tigers look ahead to two contests this upcoming weekend, starting with a Friday (March 29) match at Southwest Baptist with the first serve set for 3 p.m. On Saturday (March 30), Fort Hays State continues its Missouri road trip in St. Charles as they take on Lindenwood at 11 a.m.

HAYS, Kan. – In their first home match of the spring season, the Fort Hays State women’s tennis suffered a 6-1 loss at the hands of No. 4 Central Oklahoma in Hays. The Tigers drop to 3-5 on the season and 0-3 in MIAA play, while the Bronchos improve to 8-2 overall and a perfect 3-0 in conference battles.

In singles play, the Tigers picked up one win as Ellea Ediger claimed a 2-6, 6-4, 10-8 win over Nikki Boyer. However, Fort Hays State faltered in its other singles bouts. Laura Jimenez-Lendinez fell in a 4-6, 2-6 contest to Isabella Dunlap, while UCO’s Kirtana Bhat claimed a 1-6, 1-6 win over Lauren Lindell. Natalie Lubbers fell 3-6, 2-6 to Paola Landin. Haley Weidemann slipped in a 2-6, 0-6 loss to Alix Williams. Nicole Lubbers rounded out the singles play for FHSU as she suffered a 3-6, 2-6 loss to Jessica Le.

Doubles play went to the Bronchos as they took all three contests. The duo of Natalie Lubbers and Lindell were shutout 0-6 by Adel-Byanu Abidullina and Bhat. Nicole Lubbers and Jimenez-Lendinez were bounded 2-6 by Sarah Van Eeckhoudt and Boyar, while Ediger and Weidemann were defeated 2-6 by the Bronchos duo of Williams and Le.

The Tigers are back in action at home on Monday (March 25) at 10 am as they play host to Northeastern State.

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Fort Hays State fell in both contests at Lindenwood University on Saturday. Defensive miscues plagued the Tigers throughout the doubleheader as Lindenwood won by scores of 4-2 and 1-0, moving to 14-10 overall and 5-7 in the MIAA. FHSU moved to 12-11 overall and 5-3 in the MIAA with the losses.

Game 1: Lindenwood 4, Fort Hays State 2
Poor defensive execution led to three Lindenwood runs in a 4-2 loss to open the afternoon. Lindenwood plated three runs in the first inning, but mental mistakes aided in the last two of three to score.

Lindenwood started its half of the first inning with a triple and double to score a run, but the Tigers helped the Lions out the remainder of the inning. With one out and a runner on third, pitcher Michaelanne Nelson came home with a throw that had the runner caught in a pickle. However, while Sara Breckbill chased the Lindenwood runner back toward third, she missed the runner on a diving tag, allowing the runner to retreat safely to third. During the next at bat, Breckbill threw down to second on a steal attempt and the ball went into center field allowing the runner from third to score. The Lions went on to plate another run on a single, opening the game with a 3-0 lead.

The Tigers struggled to get baserunners into scoring position throughout the first six innings of the game. A Lily Sale single in the third was the first hit of the game for FHSU against Lindenwood starter Marina Esparza, who did not face much resistance until the seventh inning. A Katie Adler home run to open the fourth inning produced the Tigers’ first run of the game, cutting the Lindenwood lead to 3-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Lions pushed their lead back to three on another poor defensive decision by the Tigers. With runners at first and third with two outs, Breckbill opted to throw down to second on a steal attempt. The throw was well late at second base and the runner from third cruised home to easily score a run on the double steal. The batter then flew out to end the inning.

Despite the defensive miscues, the Tigers still had a shot to tie or take the lead in the seventh. Bailey Boxberger led off the inning with a home run, cutting the Lindenwood lead down to 4-2 with a tape-measure blast over the elevated center field wall. With two outs, Grace Philop and Jeni Mohr came up with timely singles and then advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. Pinch hitter Allison Jurgensen drew a walk to load the bases, but Esparza ended her brief patch of wildness by striking out Sale on three pitches to end the game.

Nelson threw a complete game for the Tigers, allowing four runs on 10 hits and a walk. She struck out two Lions and moved to 4-6 overall on the season. Esparza also went the distance for Lindenwood, moving to 2-2 on the season.

Game 2: Lindenwood 1, Fort Hays State 0
Game two of the doubleheader boiled down to a pair of Tiger errors in the third inning as Hailey Chapman took a tough-luck loss in the pitching circle.

Lindenwood pitcher Stormee Galka was a thorn in the Tigers’ side as she accounted for two of the Lions’ three hits against Chapman. She scored the game’s only run, while also throwing a complete-game shutout with 11 strikeouts and three hits allowed. Galka had a bloop single in the third inning that Tiger left fielder Megan Feiner misplayed and she motored an extra two bases on the miscue. Chapman made the pitch she needed with two outs, inducing a ground ball to shortstop Lily Sale, but Sale’s throw to first was low and Bailey Boxberger could not dig it out. Galka crossed the plate and that’s all she needed as she dominated the Tiger lineup in the circle.

Katie Adler and Boxberger were the only Tigers to find hits off Galka. Adler went 2-for-3 at the plate, while Boxberger picked up her lone hit of the game to lead off the seventh. The Tigers had runners reach first and second with one out after Galka’s only walk allowed, but Galka got a weak pop up and a ground out to end the game.

Chapman matched Galka in the hits allowed column, while striking out three. The game’s lone run was unearned. Chapman threw her sixth complete game of the season and moved to 7-5 overall.

Tiger Notes
-Katie Adler and Bailey Boxberger were the only Tigers with more than one hit in the doubleheader, Adler finishing with three and Boxberger with two.
-Besides the pair of solo home runs in the first game, FHSU had only three baserunners reach scoring position all day over 14 innings played. All three of those were in the 7th inning when the Tigers were down to their last at bat.
-Fort Hays State has been shut out in six of its 11 losses this season. The Tigers are 0-4 this year in games decided by a score of 1-0.

Up Next
Fort Hays State is back at home on Friday, March 29 when it plays host to Northeastern State in another MIAA doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 2 pm.

EMPORIA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State women’s track and field team kicked off its outdoor season at the Emporia Spring Invite on Saturday. On the day, the Tigers brought home two individual titles alongside a provisional.

Yessenia Gonzales claimed the title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:44.86. Summer Kragel capped a first place performance in the high jump with her mark of 5 feet, 5 inches. Alexcia Deutscher earned both a personal record and a provisional in the javelin with a throw of 160 feet, 2 inches, good enough for second place.

Among the first place finishes, the Tigers performed strong in all aspects of the competition. Lindsay Shupe took seventh in the 200 meters with a time of 25.47, as well as a third place finish in the 400 meters with a time of 59.58. Lyric Holman also placed high in the 400 meters, coming in sixth at 1:00.81.

In the 1,500-meters, Grace Buessing took seventh with a time of 5:04.92, alongside a ninth place finish by Averi Wilson who came in at 5:08.04. In the 5,000-meters, Abigail Stewart claimed third place with a time of 19:12.57. Rylea Oliver gave the Tigers another top-ten finish by coming in sixth place in the 3,000-meters steeplechase at 12:42.75.

Heading to track events, Haley Jones took fourth place in the high jump at 5 feet, 1 inch. Rohey Singhateh got her outdoor season off on a strong start following a fourth place finish in the long jump at 18 feet, ¼ inch. Singhateh also took home a third place finish in the triple jump with her distance of 38 feet, 4 ¼ inches. Kayla Smith rounded out the top-ten finishes in the triple jump with her jump of 36 feet, 5 inches.

Laurel Haley claimed ninth place in the discus with her throw of 141 feet, 6 inches. In the hammer throw, Julia Wagner achieved an eighth place finish with a throw of 145 feet, 2 inches.

The Tigers will be back on the track for their lone home meet of the season. The Alex Francis Classic will be held in Hays on Friday (March 29).

EMPORIA, Kan. – Outdoor season is upon us as the Fort Hays State men’s track and field team welcomed the season at the Emporia Spring Invite. The Tigers competed in the event, held Saturday, and had a strong showing to kick start the season.

Kolt Newell led the way for Fort Hays State following a first place finish in the high jump. Newell performed a 6 foot, 8 ¾ inches jump to also give him an NCAA provisional.

Alongside Newell’s provisional, the Tigers boasted strong showings throughout the event. Robbie Schmidt placed third in his first time competing in the steeplechase with a time of 10:00.21. Justin Moore claimed a personal record in the 5,000-meters with a time of 14:59.8.

Philip Landrum took third in the 200 meters with a time of 21.69, followed closely by Malcom Gardner coming in sixth place at 22.06. The two also placed in 13th and 11th in the 400 meters.

Behind Schmidt in the steeplechase, three other Tigers placed in the top-ten. Peter Franklin crossed the line in fourth at 10:07.62, with Robert Loeffler in fifth at 10:13.06 and Christopher Nemechek rounding out the places with ninth with a mark of 10:42.73.

Heading to field events, Lucas Broxterman finished at the heels of Newell as he came in third place in the high jump at 6 feet, 4 3/4 . In the pole vault, Mark Faber finished in fourth at 15 feet, 1 inches and Ryan Stanely took seventh with a mark of 14 feet, 7 ¼ inches. Broxterman also claimed third in the long jump at 22 feet, 5 ¼ inches.

Jacob Gaughan took sixth in the discus with a throw of 161 feet, 7 inches. Cameroun Fouts finished out the strong performances on the day with a ninth place finish in the javelin at 179 feet, 9 inches.

Among other performances this week, FHSU sent a handful of multi athletes to Wichita State. Matthew Pieper led the way at that meet, claiming second in the decathlon after completing the event with 6,167 points.

The Tigers are back on the track on Friday (March 29) for their lone home meet in the Alex Francis Classic in Hays.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State received big performances from Hailey Chapman and Elise Capra in a doubleheader sweep of Lincoln University Friday afternoon. Chapman struck out 19 batters in 11.2 innings of work over two games, while Capra drove home six of seven runs in game two. FHSU moved to 12-9 overall, 5-1 in the MIAA, while Lincoln dropped to 4-22 overall, 1-9 in the MIAA.

Game 1: Fort Hays State 4, Lincoln 2
Despite giving up two runs, Hailey Chapman turned in a great effort in the pitching circle by striking out a career-high 14 batters. It was her fifth complete-game performance of the season and she moved to 6-4 on the season in a 4-2 win.

The difference in the game was a bases clearing, 3-RBI double by Sierra Rodriguez in the first inning that put the Tigers up 3-0. Rodriguez was one of five Tigers to record a hit in the game.

Chapman surrendered single runs in the second and sixth innings. FHSU pushed its lead back to three runs in the fourth when Elise Capra crossed the plate on a wild pitch before the gap moved back to two after six innings.

Chapman had a pair of three-strikeout innings (first and third inning), along with four innings where she struck out two. The fourth inning was the only inning in which she did not record a strikeout. Chapman allowed six hits and one walk in the contest.

Hannah Hennessey took the loss for Lincoln in the pitching circle, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and five walks. She struck out five. Hennessey moved to 2-11 on the season.

Game 2: Fort Hays State 7, Lincoln 6
Fort Hays State produced a comeback win in game two of the doubleheader thanks to the bat of Elise Capra, who went 4-for-4 in the game with a pair of singles, a double, and a home run. Capra produced six RBIs in the game, helping push the Tigers past the Blue Tigers and avoid a split.

Lincoln’s offense clicked early by scoring two runs in each of the first two innings, building a 4-1 lead in the process. Lincoln went up 2-0 after one inning, thanks to a two-out, two-RBI single by Gabi McGinty.

Jeni Mohr trimmed the Lincoln lead in half in the top of the second by producing a sacrifice fly RBI with the bases loaded. Unfortunately, the Tigers could not push any more runs across in the inning. They saw Lincoln’s lead grow after two innings when another two-RBI hit, this time by Jordan Lawson, pushed the lead to three at 4-1.

Capra, who already recorded a single in the second to help get the bases loaded, began her damage against the Blue Tigers in the third. Lincoln committed a pair of errors in the third that loaded the bases. Capra made the Blue Tigers pay by hitting a bases-clearing double to tie the game at 4-4.

Lincoln moved back in front 5-4 in the bottom of the third on an RBI single. The first two FHSU pitchers of the game, Megan Jamison and Sierra Rodriguez, were unable to get through more than 2.1 innings of play. At that point, head coach Adrian Pilkington turned the ball back over to Hailey Chapman, who went the remaining 4.2 innings in the circle and limited Lincoln to just one run. Jamison started the game and allowed four runs on four hits and two walks in 1.1 innings, while Rodriguez relieved for 1.0 innings and allowed one run on three hits.

Chapman shut the door on Lincoln scoring any more runs over her first 3.1 innings of work, allowing Capra’s bat to push the Tigers into the lead. In the fifth, Capra sent a ball over the left field wall for her fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot, which pushed the Tigers into the lead for the first time in the game, 6-5. Capra added an insurance run in the sixth with a bases-loaded RBI single, pushing the Tiger lead to 7-5. The Blue Tigers finally picked up a run against Chapman in the sixth to make the score 7-6, but they failed to capitalize on their leadoff batter reaching second base with no outs in the seventh. Chapman got a pair of fly outs surrounding a strikeout to end the threat and give the Tigers a doubleheader sweep.

Chapman allowed one run on five hits and struck out five to pick up her second win of the afternoon. She moved to 7-4 on the season.

Shannon Greene threw all seven innings for Lincoln, allowing seven runs (four earned) on 12 hits and a walk. She struck out two. Greene moved to 2-9 on the season.

Tiger Notes
-Fort Hays State had two bases-clearing 3-RBI doubles on the afternoon, one by Sierra Rodriguez and the other by Elise Capra in separate games.
-Chapman averaged 1.63 strikeouts per inning on the day, which translates to 11.4 per seven innings. She fanned 19 in 11.2 innings of work.
-Chapman threw her team-leading fifth complete game of the season in the pitching circle in Game 1.
-Chapman set a new career high for strikeouts in a game with 14 in Game 1, passing her previous record of 12 set last season.
-Elise Capra went 5-for-6 at the plate on the day and now leads the team in batting average for the season at .415.
-Sara Breckbill reached base five times on the day, including all four at bats of game two, and scored four runs in the doubleheader.

Up Next
Fort Hays State heads to St. Charles, Missouri for a conference doubleheader with Lindenwood University on Saturday (Mar. 23) at 12 pm. Live video and live stats will be available for the contests.

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader against Northeastern State Friday evening. The Tigers (2-21, 2-13 MIAA) collected nine hits in a 12-3 loss in game one before picking up two hits in an 11-1 loss in the nightcap. The RiverHawks move to 7-21 overall and 5-10 in MIAA play after the sweep.

The Tigers are scheduled to return to Larks Park for four games next week, beginning with a midweek contest against Northwestern Oklahoma State on Wednesday (Marc 27) followed by a three-game set against Lindenwood Friday-Sunday (March 29-31).

Game One: Northeastern State 12, Fort Hays State 3
The Tigers were playing from behind for the majority of the afternoon after NSU struck for eight unearned runs in the first inning. FHSU pushed across three runs in the top of the fifth when Jared Maneth and Ryan Grasser drew back-to-back bases loaded walks. Caleb Egan came in as a pinch hitter and drove in the third run with an infield single, closing the gap to 9-3 through 4.5 innings.

Landon Erway and Jared Haynes collected two hits each, with both scoring one run. Ethan Booe (0-5) was credited with the loss after allowing eight unearned runs on five hits over three innings of work. Cody Rottinghaus tossed 3.2 scoreless innings of relief, striking out five and allowing just one hit.

Game Two: Northeastern State 11, Fort Hays State 1
Fort Hays State struggled to get the bats going in game two, with the Tigers totaling just two hits in the contest. Northeastern State pitchers also issued five walks in the contest, but FHSU was unable to take advantage with runners on base.

The RiverHawks scored two runs in the second, two in the third and two in the fourth to take a 6-0 lead into the fifth inning. Ryan Stoecklein led off the top of the fifth with a single through the right side before moving to third on Tyler Olson’s double. Stoecklein then came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Marcus Altman, trimming the deficit to 6-1.

Jake Steinbring (0-1) took the loss after allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out three over four innings of work. Tanner Smith struck out two and allowed an unearned run in 1.1 innings of relief.