Fort Hays State had top-seeded Central Missouri on the ropes early, but FHSU left five runners stranded over the first two innings in what could have been a much bigger lead early. The Tigers led 3-0 after two innings, but Central Missouri chipped away to pull within one after four innings at 3-2.
The Jennies broke through in the sixth, taking advantage of a Tiger error to open the inning. A double that followed helped push the tying run across, then the Jennies had a single to take the lead and a double to push their lead to two. That was plenty for Katie Shockley, who pitched the final 5.1 innings to hold the Tigers in check.
FHSU came out red-hot against UCM starter Jakki Prater, who allowed six hits over the first 1.1 innings. She was responsible for all three runs for the Tigers. She turned the ball over to Shockley, who worked out of a bases loaded jam. Shockley went on to hold the Tigers hitless the rest of the way, retiring eight straight at one point.
Samantha Villarreal knocked in the first run of the game in the first inning and Rilee Krier had a two-RBI double in the second inning. Krier was the only Tiger that produced two hits in the game.
Kelsey Kimminau threw a complete game for the Tigers. She moved to 13-11 overall on the year in the loss. Four of the five runs she allowed were earned. She allowed eight hits, one walk, and struck out five.
Missouri Western 8, Fort Hays State 0
The Tiger offense struggled in the 8-0 elimination game loss to Missouri Western. FHSU put at least one runner on base in each of the first four innings, but could not push any runs across against MWSU starter Janie Smith.
The Griffons held a 1-0 lead after one inning, then broke through for four runs in the third inning. The Griffons scored three more in the fifth, all unearned due to a Tiger error. The runs were enough to put the run-rule in effect after the Tigers could not do anything offensively in the bottom of the fifth.
Paxton Duran pitched all five innings in the circle for FHSU, allowing eight runs (five earned) on 12 hits and four walks. She struck out six.
Kylie Strand, Amanda Vaupel, and Paxton Duran all recorded singles, which accounted for Fort Hays State’s three hits in the run-rule shortened game.