Box Score
Box Score

The Fort Hays State softball team continued their run through the MIAA Postseason Tournament with a walk-off win over No. 1 seed Missouri Western on Saturday evening (May 7) by a score of 3-2 in 8 innings. Taylor Nelson doubled down the right field line, scoring Britney Workman for the winning run. The Tigers, who are the No. 7 seed in the tournament, now move on to face Nebraska-Omaha at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning (May 8th) at the Blue Valley Recreation Complex in Overland Park, Kan.

Fort Hays State, playing as the home team for the first time in the tournament, struck first in the bottom of the fourth inning with an RBI single from Malinee Powell which scored Erin Dyok. Dyok would follow that up with a solo home run in the sixth inning to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead going into the seventh. Missouri Western wouldn't go down without a fight, scoring after getting an RBI triple from Toni Dance and an RBI single from Leah Steele.

Maddie Holub got a two-out double in the bottom of the seventh inning but the Tigers were unable to capitalize. Holub then came out and shut down the Griffons in order in the top of the eighth to provide the Tigers with another chance to win the game. Danie Brinkmann led off the inning with a lined shot that was misplayed by the first baseman, but she was later retired on a fielder's choice hit by Workman. After Kayla Rupa was hit by a pitch, moving Workman into scoring position, Nelson ripped a shot past the first baseman and down the right field line far enough for Workman to score the game-winning run.

Holub got the win and moved to 15-7 on the year after tossing 8 innings and giving up just four hits and no earned runs. Jonelle Belger got the loss for the Griffons and moves to 15-8 on the season.

Fort Hays State will now face No. 3 seed Nebraska-Omaha on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. The Tigers will have to defeat the Mavericks twice in order to win the tournament championship. Nebraska-Omaha defeated FHSU on Friday by a score of 4-0.