HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State fell twice to nationally ranked Pittsburg State on Saturday (Mar. 21) in Hays. The No. 11 ranked Gorillas took game one 11-2 in six innings and game two 16-1 in five innings, moving to an impressive 30-1 overall for the season and 4-0 in the MIAA. The Tigers moved to 14-15 overall and 3-5 in the MIAA.
 
Game 1: Pittsburg State 11, Fort Hays State 2 (6 inn.)
Both teams scored once in the first inning, but the Gorillas quickly pulled away with a six-run third and two-run fourth to lead 9-1. The Tigers scored once more in the bottom of the fourth, but the Gorillas added two in the sixth to bring the run rule into play.
 
All Gorillas except one in their starting lineup notched a hit as they totaled 13 as a team. PSU pitcher Emma Crabb threw a complete game with six hits and two walks allowed, while striking out five. She moved to 10-0 on the season.
 
In the first, a Gorilla error and then an Audrey Gillespie double set up an RBI ground out by Abbey Duarte. In the fourth, a hit batter set up an RBI double by Hannah Green. Six different Tigers notched a hit in the game.
 
Korryn Johnson pitched the first 2.0 innings and took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits. Claire Kirby allowed three runs (two earned) in 1.0 innings. Kamaya Soniea-Harris threw 2.1 innings and allowed four runs (two earned) with one strikeout. Myah Wolfe pitched the final 0.2 innings and walked two.
 
Game 2: Pittsburg State 16, Fort Hays State 1 (5 inn.)
The Gorilla bats remained hot in the second contest, producing 14 hits. Heather Arnett led the Gorillas with three hits, while four other players had two in the game. Nine of the 14 hits for PSU were doubles. They scored eight in the second, two in the third, one in the fourth, and five in the fifth.
 
Fort Hays State picked up its lone run in the third when Kory Schoenfeld walked, Hannah Green singled, and Peyton Shepard walked to load the bases. Abbey Duarte picked up a sacrifice fly RBI to get the Tigers on the board. Green went 3-for-3 at the plate in the game.
 
Lexi Franklin threw a complete game for PSU, allowing five hits and two walks without any strikeouts. She moved to 7-0 overall for the season. Solana Carpenter took the loss for FHSU, allowing seven runs in 1.1 innings. Mackenzie Hudson (2.0 IP), Kamaya Soniea-Harris (0.2), and Claire Kirby (2.0) also pitched for the Tigers combining for the nine other runs (seven earned). Hudson and Kirby each recorded one strikeout.
 
The Tigers return to non-conference action on Tuesday (Mar. 24) with a doubleheader at Northwestern Oklahoma State at 1 p.m. in Alva.