Nebraska-Kearney (22-25, 8-14 MIAA) at
Fort Hays State (23-19, 8-14 MIAA)
Saturday, April 26 – 1 p.m. (DH)
Hays, Kan. – Fleharty Family Field
 
Fort Hays State Softball wraps the regular season this weekend with a home doubleheader against Nebraska-Kearney. The Tigers vs. Lopers matchup is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday (Apr. 26). The doubleheader has big implications on the potential of both teams qualifying for the 10-team MIAA Tournament, which will be the following week at Fleharty Family Field in Hays.
 
The Tigers and Lopers enter the final day of MIAA play in a four-way tie for ninth in the MIAA standings, which also includes Northwest Missouri State and Northeastern State, all at 8-14. Northwest Missouri State plays Missouri Western in its final doubleheader, while Northeastern State plays Rogers State. Also part of the last three spots up for grabs in the tournament is Emporia State, which sits in eighth just one game ahead of the cluster at 9-13. The Hornets face Washburn in their final doubleheader. Seven teams are already locked for the MIAA Tournament.
 
It is guaranteed that one team's losing streak will end on Saturday in Hays. Fort Hays State has dropped its last six contests, while Nebraska-Kearney has dropped its last four. FHSU holds a 44-38 advantage in the all-time series with UNK, winning the last four contests. FHSU swept doubleheaders with UNK in both 2023 and 2024. The Lopers have not won in Hays since 2018 as the Tigers have claimed six-straight meetings on their home turf.
 
The doubleheader will also be Senior Day as the team celebrates five seniors participating in their final regular season contests at Fleharty Family Field. That group includes Regan Curry, Morgan Schmidt, Erika Flynn, Madison Pierce, and Savanah Egger. Senior recognition will be in between games, starting briefly after the end of game one.
 
Madison Pierce continues to lead the Tigers offensively with a .366 batting average, 45 hits, 27 runs scored, 21 RBIs, 16 walks, and a .439 on-base percentage. Lilly Mohr leads in extra-base hits with 13 (6 home runs, 7 doubles).
 
In the pitching circle, Morgan Schmidt holds a 3.61 ERA with 111 strikeouts in 110.2 innings, while Savanah Egger has a 3.99 ERA with 110 strikeouts in 126.1 innings. They have thrown all but 25.2 of FHSU's 262.2 innings as a pitching staff this season. The duo has 21 of the 23 wins this year, Schmidt with 11 and Egger with 10.

For the Lopers, Mary Chvatal has a .382 batting average to lead the team, while Alyssa Fortik leads in extra-base hits (19) and RBIs (40). In the circle, Jerzie Schindler leads with a 4.89 ERA, while Kalli Ulven has 45 strikeouts.