Tigers fall in big hole early, lose 13-7 to Regis

Fort Hays State University fell behind 8-0 early and a late rally came up short in a 13-7 loss to Regis on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 14) at Larks Park in Hays. FHSU dropped to 0-2 with the loss, while Regis improved to 4-1.

Regis plated its first run on a RBI triple in the first, then control issues by FHSU starter Brad Spires in the third opened the floodgates for a six-run inning that made it 7-0. Spires hit two batters and walked one before Joe Mapes entered in relief with the bases loaded and no outs. Spires struggled with command through two innings of work, hitting four batters and walking two, but struck out three. He would take the loss, going to 0-1 on the season.

Mapes could not shut the door, giving up a double, a pair of walks, and a single. Spires was charged with the first four runs of the game and Mapes would go on to allow five in two innings of work. FHSU trailed 8-0 before scoring its first two runs in the fourth on an Alex King solo home run and a throwing error on a pickoff attempt by the Regis pitcher.

Regis added another run in the top of the fifth before FHSU quickly got the run back in the bottom half on a sacrifice fly by King.

Steven Federau pitched 4.0 innings of relief for FHSU and allowed four runs, two in the sixth and two in the eighth, but only one was earned. He struck out five FHSU errors led to three of the runs and the Tigers trailed 13-3 heading into the bottom of the eighth.

The Tigers rallied for four runs to make things interesting in the eighth. Gus Strunk and Connor Ross had RBI singles before the Regis dropped the would-be third out of the inning on a pop up by King. A run scored on the error and then Ross came in to score on a wild pitch. FHSU had two on when Kevin Czarnecki grounded out sharply to shortstop, who was able to play the ball off his body and still get the out at first to end the threat.

FHSU loaded the bases in the ninth with two outs, but Ross flied out to right field to end the game.

Cooper Langley, along with King, Strunk, and Ross all had a two-hit game. King’s two RBIs led the way for FHSU. Chase Newman pitched a scoreless ninth and struck out two.

Nick DiPaola pitched six strong innings for Regis, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk, while striking out seven to pick up the win.

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