HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State baseball team came up short Saturday afternoon (Feb. 24) against No. 14 Missouri Southern, losing 23-5. The Tigers are now 10-4 on the year and 0-2 in MIAA play, while the Lions improve to 14-2 overall and 2-0 in conference action.
 
The Tigers were playing from behind from the jump with MSSU scoring three runs in the top of the first. FHSU grabbed one of those runs back right away when Brady Kreutzer crushed his fourth home run of the season sailing over the fence in left center.
 
A double play helped Tiger starter Dylan Rinker face the minimum in the second inning before a bases-loaded single from Kreutzer helped the Tigers close within 3-2 in the bottom of the inning. Missouri Southern then proceeded to score 20 runs over the next five innings to take control.
 
The Tigers pushed across three runs in the sixth when Garrett Wellbrock opened a one-out rally with a pinch-hit single. Kreutzer followed with a single before Trey DeGarmo drove in a pair with a double into the gap in right center. Kyle Morrell followed with a double of his own, driving in another run.
 
Kreutzer finished the game 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI, with Morrell adding two hits. Rinker (1-1) struck out one batter in 3.0 innings of work, allowing five runs on five hits. Will Isaly struck out a pair in one scoreless inning of relief.
 
The Tigers and Lions will wrap up the series Sunday afternoon (Feb. 25). beginning at 1 p.m. from Larks Park.