Game 1: Northeastern State 8, Fort Hays State 1
Fort Hays State scratched out only three hits (two in the final inning) in an 8-1 loss to NSU. RiverHawk starter Ryan Helsley struggled with his command a bit, but kept the Tigers from adding much to the hit column in his five innings of work.
With NSU up 7-0, Helsley ran into a little trouble in the fourth as he hit a batter then walked three straight to force in the only Tiger run of the game. Andre Vieyra picked up the RBI for the bases loaded walk. However, Helsley got out of the one-out jam by getting a ground ball double play. Helsley allowed just one hit, but walked five and struck out six to move to 5-1 on the season. Clay Debban allowed just two hits to FHSU, but struck out two, in the final two innings.
FHSU starting pitcher Tyler Patty surrendered seven runs (five earned) in 2.2 innings of work on seven hits and a walk. He struck out two. Alex Cox pitched the final 4.1 innings, allowing one runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out four. Patty moved to 1-3 on the season with the loss.
Game 2: Northeastern State 12, Fort Hays State 1
Northeastern State took a 1-0 lead after the first inning, then capitalized on a Tiger fielding error for five unearned runs in the second to open up a 6-0 lead early. FHSU could not find a rhythm offensively once again as NSU starting pitcher Gabe Coldwell threw a complete game to move to 2-0 on the season.
NSU scored in every inning but the seventh, pushing its lead to 12-0 before a Cooper Langley home run in the sixth put the Tigers on the scoreboard with their only run.
FHSU starting pitcher Chase Newman allowed six runs in 2.0 innings of work, but five of the six runs were unearned. A dropped fly ball to start the inning ballooned into five runs for NSU in the second.
Trevor Rinne relieved for 1.1 innings, allowing four runs. Ty Thomas logged 1.2 innings and allowed one run. Clayton Basgall pitched the final 2.0 innings and allowed just one run, but it was not earned.
Coldwell allowed five hits and three walks, while striking out one in his complete game effort for NSU.