FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – Washburn scored eight runs off home runs in a 12-9 win over Fort Hays State on Wednesday (Mar. 30) in a mid-week MIAA contest at Larks Park. The loss snapped a four-game win streak for the Tigers, who now sit at 13-15 overall and 7-10 in the MIAA. Washburn improved to 15-12 overall and 10-7 in the MIAA.
Riley Krane provided four RBI for the Ichabods off his two home runs in the game, both two-run opposite field shots that carried out with a strong wind blowing the left field. Tanner Triggs had all three of his RBI on a homer in the sixth and David Gauntt provided two RBI for the Ichabods, one on a solo homer.
After Washburn jumped out to a 3-0 lead through an inning and a half, the Tigers countered with six runs in the bottom of the second to take their only lead of the game. The lead went away quickly when Washburn tied up the game in the top of the third with three runs. Washburn plated five runs in the fourth, taking an 11-6 lead, and held the Tigers off late for the win.
In the six-run second, Jace Bowman started the scoring with a two-RBI single. Nick Hammeke pushed the Tigers into the lead with a three-run homer, his first of the season. Alex Weiss capped the rally with an RBI single later in the inning. Connor Ross plated a run with an RBI single in the sixth and Alex King plated two with a single in the seventh. In the eighth, Weiss hit a ball far enough to be a 3-run homer that would have tied the game, but it was just foul down the left field line. A pitch later, he struck out to end the threat.
Jacob Head picked up the win in his start for the Ichabods, going 6.0 innings to improve to 2-1 on the season. Despite his rocky second inning, he held the Tigers scoreless for three of his next four innings. He allowed seven runs on 11 hits and struck out three. Lance Barkley worked a scoreless ninth for Washburn to pick up his second save of the season.
Clayton Basgall took the loss for FHSU in relief, allowing six runs in 2.1 innings of work. He entered for starter Logan Herd, who also gave up six runs in 2.2 innings of work. Casey Sedbrook, D.J. Carr, and Austin Unrein held the Ichabods scoreless over the final four innings.
The Tigers return to action on Friday for the start of a three-game MIAA series with Northeastern State. Game time is set for 6 pm at Larks Park in Hays.