HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State baseball team fell to Washburn in a midweek conference game Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 24) at Larks Park, losing 13-8. The Tigers (4-10, 1-3 MIAA) led 2-1 after the first inning, but a four-run frame for the Ichabods (5-6, 3-1 MIAA) in the fourth gave the visitors the lead for good.
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Washburn struck first with one run in the top of the first, capitalizing on a leadoff double. The Tigers responded with two runs to take the lead after
Cooper Howell reached on a leadoff error.
Antonio Avila then walked before
Tytin Goebel came through with a two-out double, driving in a pair and giving FHSU the lead.
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The Ichabods answered with two runs on three hits in the second, but a Howell solo home run tied the score at three in the home half of the inning.
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Neither side scored in the third before Washburn took control in the fourth, plating four runs on three hits and three free passes. It was the first of three-straight multi-run innings for the road team, with the Ichabods plating two in the fifth and three in the sixth.
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Trailing 12-3, the Tigers scored two unearned runs thanks to two Ichabod errors in the sixth before
Tony Moore and
Derek Woolwine smashed back-to-back solo home runs in the eighth, trimming the deficit to 12-7.
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Washburn added an insurance run in the top of the ninth, pushing its lead to six runs.
Erick Ordonez got a rally going with a double in the bottom of the ninth before three consecutive walks pushed across a run, but the Ichabods finally finished the win with a fly ball to center.
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Howell collected three of FHSU's 10 hits, scoring two runs.
Dylan Salcido and Moore had two hits each, with Moore and Ordonez also scoring two runs apiece.
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Aaron Boutz (0-2) took the loss after allowing seven runs on seven hits over 3.2 innings of work.
Tucker Russell allowed one run over the final three innings, giving up just two hits.
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The Tigers will be at home again this weekend (Feb. 27-March 1) when they host Rogers State in a three-game series. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. each day.
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