FHSU Sports Information Department
GOLDEN, Colo. – Fort Hays State dropped a pair of games at Colorado Mines on Wednesday (Mar. 16), each by one run. The Orediggers got a walk-off single to win game one 1-0, then rallied past the Tigers in the middle of game two for a 5-4 win. FHSU moved to 9-16 overall on the season, while the Orediggers improved to 9-14 overall.
Game 1: Colorado Mines 1, Fort Hays State 0
An error to begin the bottom of the seventh proved costly in a 1-0 loss in the first game. Pitcher Paxton Duran did not help her own cause by dropping a pop up on the infield. As a result, the runner eventually made it to third and came in to score on a two-out single by Brielle Asato.
Duran danced out of danger several times in the game when the Orediggers had runners in scoring position. A double play on a fly out, cutting down an Oredigger runner at the plate in the fifth kept the game scoreless all the way until the seventh.
The Tigers left six runners on base in the game, unable to score any runs in four innings where they had a runner reach at least second base.
Hallie Smith went the distance in the circle for Colorado Mines in the win, striking out seven and allowing just three hits and a walk over seven innings. Duran took the loss for FHSU, allowing six hits with three strikeouts in 6.2 innings of work.
Game 2: Colorado Mines 5, Fort Hays State 4
After struggling offensively in game one, the Tigers got off to a good start in game two, plating single runs in the first and second and a pair in the third. The Tigers had a 4-1 lead through three innings.
Courtney Dobson started the scoring in the first with an RBI single down the right field line. In the second, McKenzie Villarreal provided a pinch hit sacrifice fly RBI to put FHSU back on top 2-1 after the Orediggers plated a run in the first as well. In the third, the Tigers loaded the bases and Kylie Strand had an RBI single and Madeline LaPolla an RBI walk to push the lead to 4-1. However, two straight fielder’s choice grounders resulted in runners getting cut down at the plate by force and the threat ended with another groundout.
After retiring the first batter of the fourth, Tiger pitcher Carrie Clarke ran into trouble by walking consecutive batters and then allowing a single to load the bases. The Orediggers recorded another single and after one run crossed the plate, the runner from second attempted to come home, but stopped short of the plate on a good throw from the outfield. However, catcher Erin Elmore threw the ball wide of third base in the potential run-down play allowing the run to score anyway. An RBI groundout tied the game, which should have been the third out of the inning, and then an RBI double with two outs pushed the Orediggers in front. In all, four of the six runs allowed by the Tigers on the day over both games were unearned.
The Tigers loaded the bases in the fifth, but a strikeout ended the threat, then put a runner on in the sixth and seventh but could not get them any further than first base.
Maddie Rogers picked up the win for Colorado Mines, going 4.2 innings. She allowed nine hits and six walks while giving up four runs. Hallie Smith, who blanked the Tigers in game one, came in for the last 2.1 innings to earn the save. She got the Orediggers out of the bases-loaded jam in the fifth.
Clarke took the loss for FHSU, allowing five runs (two earned) on eight hits and four walks, with four strikeouts.
Fort Hays State looks to get back on track in conference play Friday and Saturday (Mar. 18-19) at home. The Tigers host Lincoln University in a doubleheader at 2 pm on Friday and Lindenwood University in a doubleheader at 1 pm on Saturday.