Tigers host Hornets in 4-Game MIAA series; senior recognition Saturday

Fort Hays State Baseball hosts Emporia State in a four-game MIAA series, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday (Apr. 18-19) at Larks Park in Hays. The teams will play doubleheaders each day –Saturday starting at 2 p.m. and Sunday starting at 1 p.m. The seniors on the 2015 squad will be recognized before the first game of the series on Saturday.

The Tigers (14-24, 11-17 MIAA) need to continue their hot play in conference in an effort to chase down a spot in the MIAA Tournament. The Tigers enter the week 11^th in the MIAA standings, but are just three games back of eighth occupied by Lindenwood at 12-12 in the conference.

Emporia State enters the weekend fourth in the MIAA standings at 17-10. The Hornets have an overall record of 27-10. The series pits two of the best home run hitting teams in the nation, the Tigers entering at second in home runs per game (1.58) and the Hornets at sixth in home runs per game (1.41). Both rank high nationally in slugging percentage as well, ESU second at .573 and FHSU 20^that .514. ESU has a solid team batting average as well, currently seventh in the nation at .349.

Tiger pitching has improved of late, keeping the opponent under 10 runs in each of the last six conference games. FHSU won each of its last two conference series, taking three of four from both Missouri Western and Pittsburg State. FHSU held Pittsburg State to five or less runs in all three wins last weekend.