FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State rallied for an 8-7 win in 10 innings over Central Missouri in the MIAA opener on Friday (Feb. 26) at Larks Park in Hays. Down 5-3 in the eighth, FHSU rallied for four runs in the eighth to take a lead, but Central Missouri tied the game in the ninth.Alex Weiss provided the walk-off solo homer in the 10th to lift the Tigers to victory.
Central Missouri built a 4-0 lead by the top of the fifth, but the Tigers cut the lead in half in the bottom half of the inning on back-to-back RBI singles by Ty Redington and Caleb Cherryholmes. FHSU cut the lead down to one on a Clayton Basgall RBI single in the sixth.
After Central Missouri pushed its lead back to two at 5-3 in the seventh, the Tigers put together a four-run rally in the eighth. Joe Mapes walked and Connor Ross doubled to set up a game-tying two-RBI single by Weiss. Later in the inning,Clayton Basgall pushed the Tigers in front with a two-run homer.
Central Missouri led off the ninth with back-to-back doubles to make it 7-6, then tied the game on a sacrifice fly later in the inning. The Tigers got two aboard in the ninth, but grounded into a double play to end the threat. FHSU got out of a bases loaded jam with one out in the 10th to set up the game winning shot by Weiss leading off the bottom half of the 10th.
Weiss and Basgall finished with three RBI each and Weiss had a team-high three hits.
D.J. Carr went 6.2 innings in his start, allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and a walk, but struck out six. Casey Sedbrook held the Mules scoreless in 1.1 innings of relief. Giles Fox entered in the ninth to try and earn the save, but allowed two runs. He worked out of the jam in the 10th and picked up his second win of the season in relief.
Tyler House lasted 4.2 innings in the start for Central Missouri and used three relief pitchers. Lucas Williams took the loss, allowing three runs in two innings of work.
The Tigers and Mules play the second game of the three-game weekend conference series on Saturday at 1 pm.