FHSU Sports Information Department
EMPORIA, Kan. – Fort Hays State fell to 9-14 overall and 3-9 in the MIAA when it dropped the series finale to 19th-ranked Emporia State on Sunday (Mar. 20) by a score of 7-4. The Hornets swept the three-game series and improved to 18-5 overall, 10-2 in the MIAA.
Emporia State jumped out to an early three-run lead in in the bottom of the first and remained in the lead the rest of the day. The Tigers gave up three more runs in the bottom of the fifth, another in the sixth, and saw themselves looking at a 7-0 deficit with just three innings to go.
The Tiger offense took a chunk out of the lead in the seventh inning when they pushed four runs across the plate. With a runner on first, Jace Bowman singled up the middle. Nick Hammeke then got hit by a pitch to load the bases. After a pitching change, Ty Redington brought home the first run of the day for the Tigers when he walked. After an error and a wild pitch plated two more runs, Austin Unrein made the score 7-4 with a groundout RBI.
Even with the momentum shifted in favor of FHSU, Hornet reliever Shane Davies got the final six outs of the game to earn a save. He allowed just one hit and a walk, while striking out two. Jordan Plank picked up the win, going 6.1 innings in his start with three runs (two earned) allowed on five hits and two walks. Plank struck out four.
Kyle Vogt suffered the loss for the Tigers and now sits at 2-5 on the season. He lasted 4.1 innings and allowed six runs on eight hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
The Tigers get one day off before they are at it again. They travel to Topeka to take on Washburn for a single game on Tuesday (Mar. 22). First pitch is set for 4 pm.