EDMOND, Okla. - The Fort Hays State baseball team fell in their series opener with Central Oklahoma 11-4 on Friday (March 17). The Tigers were in control early, but a few big innings for the Bronchos put them in front for the win. FHSU falls to 9-16 overall and 2-8 in conference play while UCO improves to 17-6 overall and 7-4 in the MIAA.

UCO took the lead in the opening frame on an RBI single, but the Tigers quickly tied the game with a leadoff solo home run from Emile Boies in the second inning. The Tigers took the lead with three runs in the top of the third. FHSU led off the inning with another solo shot as Ed Scott collected his second bomb of the season. Trey DeGarmo reached on a bunt single before a throwing error by the catcher put him on second. Isaiah Ural doubled to the left-center gap to bring home DeGarmo before Boies blooped a single over the head of the Broncho shortstop, plating Ural.

Daniel Bebee got his second start of the season on the mound for the Tigers. After allowing just one run through the first two innings, Bebee gave up two runs in the third closing the Tiger lead to 4-3. Bebee retired the side in order in the fourth, but another two-run homer gave the Bronchos a 5-4 lead in the fifth. He retired UCO in order again in the sixth but the Bronchos would score six runs over the next two frames to extend their lead to 11-4. Bebee threw his second consecutive complete game in the process, the only two complete games for the Tigers this season.

Boies finished 3-for-5 at the plate with two RBI while DeGarmo, Tico Olivas, and Ridge Stephens each drew a walk.

The series will continue Saturday (March 18), with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m.