Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Fort Hays State baseball team could not snap its losing streak on Friday (Mar. 9), dropping a pair of conference contests to 24th-ranked Missouri Southern in Joplin, Mo. FHSU saw a 2-0 lead slip away in game one and fell 5-4, then dropped the nightcap 7-4. FHSU is now 2-8 overall and 1-5 in the MIAA.

Game 1: Missouri Southern 5, FHSU 4

Box Score

The team played to a scoreless tie until the fourth inning when the Tigers took advantage of an error to open the inning. A Ryan Busboom single scored Brandon Hoefler from second base to give FHSU a 1-0 lead. Shawn Lewick worked around trouble in the bottom of the fourth to keep FHSU in the lead. He struck out the last two batters to strand a runner at third.

In the fifth, the FHSU lead grew to 2-0 in the fifth on a Jay Sanders double and Luke Kordsmeier scored on an error by the right fielder.

Missouri Southern finally broke through on the Tigers in the bottom of the fifth. A one out single scored a run from second, then a double put runners at second and third. An untimely error by Tiger shortstop Sheldon Howell allowed a second run to come in on a grounder, which gave MSSU a 3-2 lead instead of a 2-2 tie with two outs.

The Lions broke through with two more runs in the sixth, both charged to Lewick. An error on a failed pickoff attempt and a wild pitch by relief pitcher Kyle Leroy led to the two insurance runs scoring for the Lions.

They would need those insurance runs as FHSU rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh. An error allowed one run in with two outs and extended the inning to allow Nash Smith to single in another run. But with runners at first and second, Mace Krol struck out to end the game.

Lewick, who has been the strongest pitcher for FHSU this season, was handed the tough-luck loss. He has had two no decisions and now a loss, but has a 3.45 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 15.2 innings of work.

Cody Griebling moved to 4-0 on the season for MSSU with the win. He went the distance, striking out eight over the seven innings.

Game 2: Missouri Southern 7, FHSU 4

Box Score

FHSU fell victim to the big inning in the second game as Missouri Southern scored six of its seven runs in the second inning. A strong outing from MSSU starter Ryan Wheat, kept the Tigers from rallying until later in the game. After giving up a run in the first to FHSU, he settled in to pitch 7.2 innings. He retired the side in order in four innings following the first.

The Tigers finally rallied for a pair of runs in the eighth on RBI singles by Nash Smith and Ryan Busboom. Mace Krol produced the final run for FHSU in the ninth on an RBI single.

Bo Bergen picked up a save for MSSU in 1.2 innings of relief. Andy Lewton took the loss for FHSU in 6.0 innings of work. Four of the six runs he allowed were earned. He allowed four hits, walked four, and struck out five.