Box Score

The Fort Hays State softball team's improbable run through the MIAA Postseason Tournament ended on Sunday morning (May 8) when the Tigers were edged by No. 21 Nebraska-Omaha 2-1. The Mavericks gave the Tigers both of their losses in the tournament and earned an automatic berth into next week's regional tournament.

 

Nebraska-Omaha struck early, with three doubles in the first inning but Fort Hays State held them to just one run thanks to a pair of great defensive plays. First, on a double from Sarah Elliott to left field, Callie Wright hit a relay throw to Erin Dyok who then fired to Malinee Powell to gun down Molly Feichtinger at the plate. Elliott would then score on a fielder's choice hit by Lauren Larson on the next play. The Mavericks would load the bases with two outs and threaten to score more until Wright made a diving catch in left field to end the rally.

 

Erin Dyok singled to lead off the fourth inning for Fort Hays State and advanced to third on a wild pitch from Mavericks starter Beth Haley. Dyok was pushed across the plate on an infield single from Kayla Rupa that would prove to be the Tigers only run.

 

Nebraska-Omaha would quickly respond, getting a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fourth. The Mavericks attempted a sacrifice bunt to get the runner to second, but Maddie Holub fielded the bunt and threw to Danie Brinkmann to cut down the lead runner. Brinkmann attempted to throw to first for a double play, but her throw got past Britney Workman and allowed Alli Hukill to advance to second. A bunt single by Fiechtinger got Hukill to third and she then scored on an RBI fielder's choice hit by Elliott.

 

That would be all the insurance the Mavericks needed for relief pitcher Lindsey Slocum, who shut down the Tigers offense for the second time in three days. Slocum pitched 3.1 innings in relief, giving up no hits and striking out four to get the win and improve to 15-5 on the year. Holub took the loss after giving up seven hits and one earned run in six innings of work. She finishes her sophomore campaign at FHSU with a 15-8 record.