HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team strengthened its hold on the top spot in the MIAA standings with a 7-4 victory over Central Oklahoma on Sunday (March 16) at Larks Park. The Tigers (16-5, 11-1 MIAA) rode a six-run third inning and solid bullpen work to secure their second straight win over the Bronchos (16-8, 6-6 MIAA).

Fort Hays State fell behind early after Central Oklahoma scratched across a run in the top of the first on a fielder's choice. The Tigers threatened in the bottom half with a two-out single from Derek Woolwine, but UCO's Brady Gilmore escaped the frame unscathed.

The third inning proved to be the difference-maker for FHSU. Cesar Saavedra led off the frame with a solo home run to left field, tying the game at 1-1. After a single from Woolwine, Elliott Herrmann crushed a two-run homer to left, giving the Tigers a 3-1 lead. Trey DeGarmo followed immediately with a solo shot of his own, making it back-to-back home runs and extending the lead to 4-1. Cooper Howell ripped an RBI double to left center, bringing home another run before Brady Kreutzer capped off the six-run explosion with an RBI double of his own to make it 6-1.

UCO battled back in the fifth when Caden Robertson delivered a three-run home run to left center, trimming the FHSU lead to 6-4. However, Paul Panduro settled in to finish the inning, and the Tigers' bullpen shut the door from there.

Kreutzer added an insurance run in the eighth inning, sending a solo home run over the left-center fence to push the lead to 7-4.

Panduro (2-1) earned the win after tossing 6.1 innings, allowing four runs on 11 hits while striking out seven. Brett Jacobs entered in the seventh and provided 1.2 scoreless innings before Brandon Chavez closed things out in the ninth, recording his sixth save of the season.

FHSU finished with 11 hits, led by two-hit performances from Saavedra, Herrmann, DeGarmo, and Kreutzer. Robertson paced Central Oklahoma with three hits and three RBIs.

With the win, Fort Hays State remains atop the MIAA standings and will look to continue their strong play as conference action resumes next weekend at Pittsburg State.