Box Score

Fort Hays State pulled out a wild 17-13 win over Bethany College on Tuesday night (Apr. 24) in Hays. Ryan Busboom delivered a walk-off grand slam in the ninth, part of a 3-home run, 7-RBI performance for him on the night. The Tigers improved to 23-19 with the win.

The game was a see-saw battle throughout the night. Both teams scored two in the first and three in the second, but FHSU took its first lead of 6-5 with one in the third. Busboom's first home run of the night, a two-run shot, came in the first.

Bethany tied the game once again with one in the fourth, but FHSU retook the lead in the fifth at 7-6 on Busboom's second home run of the game, a solo shot. Bethany knotted the score with a run in the top of the sixth, but FHSU pulled back ahead on a Nash Smith two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth.

With the Tigers leading 9-7, the game was delayed in the top of the seventh due to lightning observed by the umpires. It was a confusing moment for the teams and fans, since the storm was not even in the vicinity of Hays. Instead of waiting the entire 30 minutes for lightning, the teams resumed play after about 20 minutes once the situation was properly assessed.

The break was not good to the Tigers, as Bethany came out and scored six runs in the top of the seventh following the delay to take a 13-9 lead. FHSU turned to reigning MIAA Pitcher of the Week Brett Macari to shut the door on the Swedes the rest of the way as he pitched the final 2.1 innings of the game.

The Tigers scored once in the seventh on a Sam Thornton infield RBI single, then scored twice in the eighth on a Mace Krol sacrifice fly RBI and a Brandon Hoefler RBI single. The Tigers entered the ninth down 13-12.

The Tigers immediately started the rally in the ninth as Luke Kordsmeier was hit by a pitch. Chris Santoscoy pinch ran and Thornton layed down a successful sacrifice bunt to get him in scoring position. Smith followed that with a RBI double to the left center gap to tie the game.

From that point, the Tigers drew two walks to load the bases and set the stage for Busboom with one out. Busboom hit a long foul ball down the line that Bethany let fall, because it would have been deep enough to score Smith from third. However, instead of a sacrifice fly RBI, Busboom pulled another pitch down the left field line that cleared the wall and gave the Tigers to walk-off win. Busboom finished the night 5-of-6 at the plate with three home runs, one double, and one single.