FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State overcame eight errors on the day by scoring 17 total runs in a doubleheader sweep of Newman University on Monday (Feb. 29) in its first home games of the season. The Tigers forced extra innings in game one and won 9-8, then pulled away for an 8-2 win in the nightcap. FHSU improved to 5-6 overall on the season while Newman dropped to 5-11.
Game 1: Fort Hays State 9, Newman 8
Fort Hays State trailed 8-2 in the opening game before rallying for six runs late to force extra innings. The Tigers claimed the game with a bases-loaded walk by Samantha Villarreal in the bottom of the eighth to win 9-8.
Only three of Newman’s eight runs in the game were earned. The Tigers committed five errors in the game with three occurring in the fifth that allowed four runs to score.
The Tigers fought back in the sixth and seventh to get the game extended. Tori Beltz led off the sixth with her fourth home run of the season, then Villarreal, Paxton Duran, and Courtney Dobson all singled. With one more run in and the bases loaded, Madeline LaPolla doubled to left center field to plate two more and then Rilee Krier scored on a wild pitch to pull the Tigers within a run at 8-7.
In the seventh, Duran came through in the clutch just after taking over in the pitching circle in the seventh. With two outs, Kylie Strand drew a walk and then Duran smacked a ball over the right fielder for a double that scored Strand all the way from first.
An error by Newman to start the eighth proved to be the winning run for FHSU. After a single and a walk loaded the bases with one out, Villarreal drew a walk to end the game.
Duran picked up the win in 2.0 innings of relief. She struck out three and allowed only one runner by walk. Starter Carrie Clarke lasted 6.0 innings, allowing eight runs (three earned) on nine hits and four walks while striking out two.
Kate Smith took the loss in relief for Newman allowing the last two runs of the game to FHSU in 1.1 innings of work.
Game 2: Fort Hays State 8, Newman 2
Newman held an early 1-0 lead in the second game before a pair of runs in the third inning gave the Tigers a 2-1 advantage. Erin Elmore recorded her first hit of the season, a double, to get the game leveled, then came in to score on a throwing error by the Jets.
Newman tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth, but it was short lived as FHSU scored two in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead back at 4-2. Paxton Duran led off the inning with a triple, then came in to score on an RBI by Courtney Dobson. Dobson later came in to score on a fielding error by the Jets.
In the sixth, Kylie Strand put the game away for FHSU with a grand slam to push the lead to 8-2.
Duran went the distance in the circle for FHSU, scattering 10 hits to allow two runs (one earned). She struck out eight and did not walk any batters. She moved to 4-3 overall on the season by getting the winning decision in both games.
Smith was the losing pitcher once again for the Jets, allowing eight runs (six earned) on 11 hits and two walks. She struck out four. Smith dropped to 1-9 overall on the season.
The Tigers return to action at home on Tuesday (Mar. 1) with a doubleheader against Wayne State College at 1 pm.