Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Fort Hays State fell in the winner's bracket on Saturday to Central Oklahoma by a score of 11-3 to Central Oklahoma, but rebounded in the second elimination game of the NCAA Central Regional 1 to win 5-2 over Minot State on a walk-off three-run home run by Maddie Holub. It was Holub's 19th home run of the season, coming with two outs and runners at second and first. Fort Hays State enters Sunday's championship game(s) at 47-11 overall.

Central Oklahoma 11, Fort Hays State 3

A nine-run first inning catapulted Central Oklahoma to Championship Sunday at the NCAA Central Regional 1, defeating Fort Hays State by a run-rule score of 11-3 in five innings.
 
The Bronchos sent 13 runners to the plate in the first inning, which included five hits and two Tiger errors. UCO chased Maddie Holub from the game after recording just two outs, her shortest outing of the season. Holub allowed four hits and eight runs (four earned) taking her third loss of the season, dropping to 28-3.
 
Kalynn Schrock of the Bronchos allowed just three hits and one earned run in five innings. Fort Hays State scored their first run in the third inning on a double steal which allowed Jenna Lang to steal home. The Tigers plated two more runs in the fifth, one on a bases loaded hit by pitch of Holub and Lang scoring on a passed ball.
 
After the first inning, UCO got an RBI single from Devyn Frazier in the second and solo home run from Tori Collet in the fourth for their remaining runs.

Fort Hays State 5, Minot State 2

Fort Hays State had a fast start in the second elimination game of the tournament as Bianca Adame singled on a bunt to start the game, then stole second (her 40th stolen base of the season) before Courtney Dobson punched a single through the right side to plate Adame. Fort Hays State led 1-0 after one inning.

Fort Hays State struggled for just one more hit over the next three innings against Minot State starter Tiffany Friesen, who settled in to keep her team in the game. Then Friesen changed the complexion of the game in the fourth with a two-run home run to left field off Maddie Holub, making it 2-1 Minot State.

Dobson started a Fort Hays State rally in the sixth inning with a double to the right center gap to lead off the inning, then Maddie Holub was given new life in her at bat to follow. The Minot State head coach had forgot to announce the re-entry of a player earlier and then Fort Hays State coaches made the umpire aware of it after Holub popped out in foul territory to the catcher. That allowed Holub to get a second chance and she moved Dobson to third with a groundout for the first out of the inning. That set up Danie Brinkmann for a single up the middle to tie the game at 2-2. FHSU had runners at second and first with two outs, but could not cash in anymore runs in the inning.

Holub came back out in the top of the seventh to fan a pair of batters, giving her 12 for the game. That set her up for one of the most memorable moments in her storied career in the bottom half of the inning.

Jenna Lang had a clutch single up the middle to get the Tigers started in the seventh, then Bianca Adame followed two batters later with a single through the right side. Courtney Dobson grounded into a fielder's choice, leaving runners at second and first with two outs. Holub stepped to the plate and unloaded on the first pitch she saw with a blast to left field for a walk-off three-run homer, her 19th of the season.

By helping herself, Holub moved to 29-3 overall on the season in the pitching circle. She allowed just two hits and walked four in the 12-strikeout performance.

Friesen moved to 13-6 with the loss. She allowed 10 hits and struck out four.

Fort Hays State will have to win twice against Central Oklahoma on Sunday in order to advance to the Super Regional. Battling for the championship in Central Regional 2 on Sunday is Winona State and Minnesota State-Mankato. Minnesota State-Mankato would also have to win twice on Sunday to advance. The winners of the two tournaments meet next week.