Box Score

Four Tiger errors over the third and fourth innings led to six unearned runs by Missouri Western as they went on to blow out the Tigers by run-rule in seven innings, 15-1. The loss dropped Fort Hays State to 25-20 overall and 19-17 in the MIAA. Missouri Western clinched second place alone in the MIAA with the win.

The Tigers had a golden opportunity slip through their hands in the first inning when they loaded the bases with no outs. Mace Krol and JC Ochoa struck out back-to-back looking, before Brandon Hoefler drew a bases loaded walk that forced the only Tiger run of the night in. Luke Kordsmeier followed with a deep drive to left field that was caught on the warning track to end the inning, leaving FHSU up only 1-0.

The Griffons tied the game in the second on a sacrifice fly RBI, then benefitted from several Tiger miscues in the third to score six times and take a 7-1 lead. The Griffons had four straight hits to open the inning before the Tigers committed three errors over the next two plays that would lead to three unearned runs in the inning.

An error by the Tigers to open the fourth inning led to three more unearned runs and pushed the MWSU advantage to 10-1. FHSU started Shawn Lewick could not push through the trouble in the fourth and left allowing 10 runs (just four earned) on 10 hits with four walks and two strikeouts. The loss dropped him to 6-4 on the season.

After getting out of trouble in the first inning, Missouri Western starter Ethan Ward settled in to allow just five hits and five walks with five strikeouts in a complete game effort. He moved to 6-2 on the season with the win.

The Tigers and Griffons play the second and third games of the series on Saturday, starting at 2 pm, which will be a pair of 7-inning contests. The Tiger loss dropped them into a tie for fifth with Emporia State, which dropped a pair of games to Washburn on Friday. Missouri Southern also won a pair off Southwest Baptist, which puts Washburn and Missouri Southern into a tie for third at 21-17 in the MIAA. The Tigers will be a lock for the MIAA Tournament if Pittsburg State loses one more game to Central Missouri this weekend, after losing one on Friday.