FHSU tied the game in the second 1-1, capitalizing on an error in the inning, and then took the lead 3-1 in the third with a RBI double from Kevin Czarnecki and RBI single from Gus Strunk.
The lead grew to 5-1 in the fifth with a sacrifice fly by Alex King, and then a RBI single by Casey Sedbrook. However, the Bulldogs instantly got both runs back in the bottom of the inning to make it 5-3.
A fielding error in the seventh led to the big four-run inning for the Bulldogs. The error came after a leadoff walk, then a bunt single loaded the bases with no outs. After Strunk entered in relief on the mound, he struck out a batter before giving up a sacrifice fly to make it 5-4 and then the three-run home run to give SWOSU the 7-5 lead.
Austin Unrein had a RBI groundout in the eighth to pull the Tigers within one, but a runner was stranded at third. In the ninth, FHSU got runners at first and second with one out, but Kent Callison got a foul out and a fly out to end the game, earning his first save of the year for SWOSU. Taylor Weifenbach picked up the win in relief for SWOSU, as he inherited the lead in the seventh before getting lifted before the start of the eighth.
FHSU starter Alex Cox lasted 3.0 innings, allowing just a run on two hits. He struck out one. Steven Federau allowed two runs on three hits in 1.1 innings of work and Giles Fox allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and two walks in 1.2 innings of work. Fox struck out two. Strunk took the loss, moving to 0-2 on the year. He allowed two runs on two hits, but struck out four.
The Tigers return to action on Friday at Northwest Missouri State, the start of a four-game conference series over the weekend in Maryville, Mo.