WARRENSBURG, Mo. - The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped the second game of the three-game series on Saturday afternoon (March 23). The Tigers moved to 18-11, 6-9 MIAA, while the No. 2 ranked Mules improved to 25-4, 13-2 MIAA.
 
Fort Hays State struck first after the leadoff hitter, Cesar Saavedra, doubled to start the game. He later advanced on a wild pitch and scored on an Isaiah Ural ground out. The Mules scored one of their own on a hit and an error.
 
The Mules notched another run in the third before the Tigers took the lead back in the top of the fifth. The Tigers scored after a Jamison Armstrong single, Sebastian Burgos walk and then a Saavedra single up the middle. Brady Kreautzer pulled off a squeeze play with Burgos on third to push the Tigers in front 3-2. The Mules took the lead right back in the bottom half after a two-RBI double. The Mules scored two more in the sixth and three in the seventh to extend their lead to 9-3.
 
The Tigers scored their final run in the eighth with an Armstrong single that scored Kyle Morrell, who tripled earlier in the inning. 
 
Tiger starter Cade Flaherty faced 18 batters, giving up five hits and four runs (two earned) while striking out a pair. Tanner Vaughn relieved him after four innings pitched and lasted two innings. Vaughn struck out three, while giving up four earned runs. Brandon Chavez and Rafael Espinoza were able to get an inning under their belt. Chavez recorded one strikeout.
 
UCM went through went four pitchers, striking out six while giving up seven hits and four earned runs. Harrison Babbitt picked up the win in 1.1 innings of relief work.
 
Saavedra and Armstrong recorded multiple hits, with 12 Tigers able to reach base safely on the day (7 hits, 5 walks). 
 
The teams end the series Sunday (March 24), with the first pitch set for 1 p.m. in the afternoon.