FHSU Sports Information Department
EMPORIA, Kan. – Fort Hays State fell in the series opener at No. 19 ranked Emporia State on Friday evening (Mar. 18) by a score of 6-2. The Tigers fell behind 5-0 before finally scratching a pair of runs across in the eighth, but Emporia State closed the door in the ninth. FHSU moved to 9-12 overall, 3-7 in the MIAA, while ESU improved to 16-5 overall and 8-2 in the MIAA.
Fort Hays State was held scoreless by ESU starter Tyler Stubblefield through seven innings until finally getting to him in the eighth. The Tigers loaded the bases and then Caleb Cherryholmes drove the first run home on a fielder’s choice before Austin Unrein singled in another run. Jacob Tetuan entered in relief to get the final out of the eighth as the Tigers had the tying run at the plate. A groundout ended the threat.
Garrett Brummett took the mound in the ninth and worked a 1-2-3 inning against the Tigers to preserve the win for Stubblefield. Stubblefield went 7.2 innings in his start, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts. D.J. Carr of FHSU took the loss, going 4.2 innings in his start. Two of the four runs he allowed were earned on five hits and four walks while he struck out two. Casey Sedbrook pitched 0.2 innings of relief, allowing a run, then Jackson Rolfs pitched 2.2 innings and allowed a run, but struck out two.
Unrein and Alex King each had two hits in the contest while Nick Hammeke and Clayton Basgall scored the Tiger runs.
The Tigers and Hornets return to action in Emporia Saturday at 1 pm.