EDMOND, Okla. – Fort Hays State fell twice at the hands of Central Oklahoma on Saturday (Mar. 10) in an MIAA doubleheader. The Tigers dropped all four games over the weekend to start conference play. FHSU is now 4-18 overall, 0-4 in the MIAA, while Central Oklahoma improved to 17-7 overall, 7-1 in the MIAA.
 
Central Oklahoma 2, Fort Hays State 0
 
Two runs in the second inning for Central Oklahoma accounted for all of the scoring in the first game of the doubleheader. A two-out RBI single by Lexy Dobson and a bases loaded walk by Carrie Abrams was all the Bronchos needed as the Tigers went scoreless for a third consecutive game to open MIAA play.
 
The Tigers scratched out six hits against UCO starter Jayden Chestnut, who threw a complete game with two strikeouts. She did not allow a walk. The Tigers had runners reach second base in four innings, but never found a timely hit to drive in a run. Bailey Boxberger and Veronica Knittig each went 2-for-3 at the plate in the game.
 
Hailey Chapman took another tough loss in the pitching circle, allowing only five hits while walking two and striking out one.
 
Central Oklahoma 10, Fort Hays State 5
 
Central Oklahoma jumped out to an 8-0 lead through two innings, but the Tigers were able to avoid the run rule by plating four runs in the fifth to cut the lead in half. Another run by the Tigers in the sixth cut the lead to three, but the Bronchos tacked on two more in the bottom half of the inning and won the second game 10-5.
 
Tiger starting pitcher Sierra Rodriguez lasted only 1.1 innings before turning the ball over to Hailey Chapman, who relieved the remainder of the game. Rodriguez allowed seven runs on six hits and two walks with one strikeout. Chapman allowed one run to the Bronchos in her first inning of relief, but then held them at bay until the two runs in the sixth. Chapman allowed eight hits and a walk, while striking out one.
 
An error by UCO helped trigger the four-run fifth inning for the Tigers. A ball put in play by Terran Caldwell was mishandled and a run scored from second on the play. Candace Bollig drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and later Bailey Kennedy knocked in two with a double. In the sixth, Bollig drove in another run with a single, but a double play ended any further threat from the Tigers.
 
Central Oklahoma starting pitcher Lauren Gibson went 5.0 innings in her winning effort, allowing five runs (three earned) on 10 hits with a walk and two strikeouts. JoBi Heath pitched the final 2.0 innings for a save, allowing two hits to go with a strikeout.
 
The Tigers are back at home next Friday (Mar. 16) when they host Lincoln University at 2 pm.