8-State Classic Schedule
 
2014 FHSU Season Preview
 
For updates on the games throughout the weekend, follow the FHSU Athletics Twitter account. Live stats will not be available at the tournament.

The 2014 campaign for Fort Hays State begins this weekend at the 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark., Feb. 14-16.  FHSU will play six games, including one against ranked opponent Missouri-St. Louis, over a three-day period.  This is the second consecutive appearance for the Tigers in the weekend tournament, hosted by Arkansas-Monticello.
 
FHSU finished the 2013 season at 47-12 (21-5 MIAA), winning the MIAA Tournament and earning the top seed in the Central Region.  FHSU returns 14 players from last season's squad, and was chosen third in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.
 
The 8-State Classic features 29 teams, including 11 of the 14 teams in the MIAA. 
 
Arkansas-Monticello 8-State Classic Game Preview Capsules

FHSU vs. East Central (5-3)
Friday, Feb. 14  11:30 a.m.
Memorial Park Field 5
 
East Central is .500 in its first eight games of the season, but has already claimed two wins over ranked opponent Angelo State (then No. 17).  Autumn Suydam is hitting .480 with four doubles in the early going, while Lacey Paulk, last year's GAC Freshman of the Year, has 27 strikeouts and a 1.88 ERA in 27.0 innings pitched.  East Central was picked to finish second in the GAC Preseason poll.
 
FHSU vs. No. 18 Missouri-St. Louis (0-0)
Friday, Feb. 14  3:30 p.m.
Memorial Park Field 9
 
Missouri-St. Louis is the lone ranked opponent FHSU will face in the season opening tournament, and was picked to win the GLVC West Division in 2014.  UMSL returns Third Team All-American Hannah Perryman in the circle (24-5, 1.55 ERA in 2013), and reached the Midwest Regional last season.  The Tritons' offensive leader from last season, Madison Zbaraschuk, returns as well.  She hit .371 with 12 home runs and 54 RBI in 2013.
 
FHSU vs. Southern Nazarene (1-2)
Saturday, Feb. 15  9:30 a.m.
Memorial Park Field 8
 
Southern Nazarene competed in the Texann Invite (hosted by Tarleton State) last weekend, defeating MIAA member Emporia State but falling to Northeastern State and TSU.  SNU's Hannah LeBeau is leading the team with five RBI to go with a .364 average, while Kayla Watt is 1-1 with a 3.82 ERA and 16 strikeouts.
 
FHSU vs. Quincy (0-0)
Saturday, Feb. 15  3:30 p.m.
Memorial Park Field 6
 
Quincy was picked fifth in the GLVC West Division, and returns its top two offensive producers from last season.  Jessica Grimes hit .314 with 20 RBI and five doubles, while Alana Viken had 23 RBI and seven doubles to go with a .282 average.  Quincy's Murphi Armstrong returns in the circle with a 4.67 ERA from last season.
 
FHSU vs. Minnesota State (0-0, RV – NFCA)
Sunday, Feb. 16  9:30 a.m.
Memorial Park Field 1
 
Minnesota State was picked to finish first (tied with Winona State) in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, and is a regional opponent of the Tigers.  MSU reached the Central Regional sub-championship last season, losing to Winona State (FHSU lost to Central Oklahoma in other sub-championship).  The Mavericks return three-time All-American Lindsay Erickson, who hit .455 last season with nine home runs and 45 RBI, and Brittany Lauterbach, who went 10-2 with a 2.62 ERA and 66 strikeouts.
 
FHSU vs. Arkansas-Monticello (2-2)
Sunday, Feb. 16   11:30 a.m.
Bentonville High School
 
The host team of the 8-State Classic is .500 to start the season.  Kali Piha is hitting .545 with two doubles and five RBI in the first four games, while Courtney Wilson is sporting a 2.05 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched.  UAM was picked to finish third in the GAC, just behind East Central.