PITTSBURG, Kan. - Fort Hays State fell short against Pittsburg State in game two of an MIAA series on Saturday (Mar. 26) by a score of 10-5. The Gorillas took the lead early and kept their distance from the Tigers to take the contest despite a late rally by the Tigers.

Tiger starting pitcher Hunter Parker held the Gorillas in check in the first inning, striking out two, but the Gorillas rallied for four runs on four hits in the second. Parker retired the Gorillas in order in the third and allowed just one hit between the third and fifth innings.

The Tigers managed at least one hit in each of the first six innings. They finally broke through for a run in the sixth when Ridge Stephens put down a bunt to bring in Tico Olivas. However, Pitt State answered with a two-run homer extending their lead to 6-1 after six innings.

The Tigers added another run in the seventh when Grant Schmidt brought Brady Kreutzer in to score, making it 6-2. Kreutzer led off the inning with a double. However, the Gorillas added another pair of runs in the home half on a double to push their lead to 8-2. PSU added two more runs in the eighth on a pair of hits to take a 10-2 lead into the final frame.

The Tigers fought back in the top of the ninth as Kreutzer singled to right and an error brought Jenner Kehe and Mikey Felton. A sacrifice fly from Ed Scott then brought Kreutzer across the plate, cutting the Gorilla lead to 10-5. But, the Gorillas ended the contest by getting a pair of strikeouts to extinguish the Tiger rally.

Parker allowed eight runs on 10 hits with two walks and five punchouts in 6.1 innings of work. Jacob Douglas went 1.2 innings in relief, allowing two runs on four hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Kehe was 4-for-5 at the plate with a pair of doubles to lead the Tiger bats.

The Tigers and Gorillas wrap up the three-game series on Sunday (March 27) at 12 p.m.