Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Fort Hays State softball team went 1-1 on the first day of play at the MIAA Crossover Tournament in Springfield, Mo. The Tigers fell to Emporia State 7-2 in their first game but defeated Lincoln 4-2 in the second contest. FHSU is now 9-6 overall. They play Central Missouri and Southwest Baptist on Saturday.

Emporia State 7, FHSU 2

Box Score

Fort Hays State opened the scoring in the second on a RBI double by Danie Brinkmann, but Emporia State pushed across two in the fourth, two in the sixth, and three in the seventh to defeat FHSU. The Tigers picked up one run in the bottom of the seventh on a Kayla Rupa groundout, but it was too little too late.

The long ball hurt FHSU in the fourth and sixth. After a pair of wild pitches from Rupa allowed ESU to tie the game at 1-1 in the fourth, she gave up a solo home run to Taylor Reichard. Emporia State picked up two more runs in the sixth on a two-run homer by Abby Smith. An error in the seventh cost FHSU a couple of runs out of the three allowed.

Rupa threw the entire game for FHSU as five of the seven runs allowed were earned. She allowed 10 hits and two walks and finished with 10 strikeouts. She moved to 5-5 on the season with the loss.

FHSU 4, Lincoln 2

Box Score

Lincoln took an early 1-0 advantage thanks to a pair of errors in the first inning by the Tigers. However, the Tigers tied the game in the top of the second on an RBI single by Sara Tani. The Tigers had four singles in that inning to push the first run across.

A walk followed by a pair of singles loaded the bases for FHSU to start the third. A sacrifice fly by Malinee Powell plated the first run to give FHSU the lead 2-1. With two outs and the sacks still loaded, Kayla Rupa laced a double to extend the lead to 4-1.

Lincoln picked up its only other run in the fifth on a RBI double.

Fort Hays State pitcher Maddie Holub went the distance allowing just five hits and two walks in her complete game outing. She struck out nine, including four straight over the first and second innings. Holub moved to 4-1 with the win.