By FHSU Sports Information
Photo courtesy FHSU SID
JOPLIN, Mo. – The Fort Hays State baseball team scored two early runs before dropping the final game of the regular season Sunday afternoon (May 6) to Missouri Southern, 17-2. The Tigers wrap up the regular season 13-37 overall and 5-31 in MIAA play, while the Lions finish the year 27-23 and 15-21 in league action.
The Tiger defense saved the best for last, as they turned a rare feat in the home half of the sixth inning. In Tyler Renninson‘s first frame of work, the righty allowed two runners to reach base before inducing a sharp ground ball to third base. Alex Weiss scooped up the ball and quickly tagged third before whipping a throw towards second. Ryan Grasser corralled the toss and tapped on the bag before firing the ball towards Dayton Pomeroy at first who completed the first triple play in more than 16 years (5/1/02, 2nd inning vs. Central Christian, Smith-Santangelo-Dreher).
Offensively the Tigers were limited to just five hits, with three coming in the third and two coming in the seventh. Addison Kaasch worked a leadoff walk before singles from Clayton Basgall and Weiss quickly loaded the bases. Grasser put the Tigers on the board with a base knock to center two batters later, plating a pair.
Missouri Southern kept things rolling at the plate in the home half of the first, with a pair of home runs adding up to four runs. The Lions continued to pour it on moving forward, compiling 14 hits, including four long balls, to score their 17 runs.
The Tigers, meanwhile, went stagnant at the plate, with 19 batters being retired in order after Grasser’s RBI single in the first. Colton Helm and Jonathan Mariani both collected singles off the bench in the seventh inning, but a pop up ended the game with two men aboard.
Ryan Ruder (4-9) took the loss after allowing five runs in one-plus innings of work.