FHSU Sports Information Department
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State finalized the sweep of a three-game series at Lincoln on Saturday (Mar. 26), taking the finale by a score of 14-6. With the victory, the Tigers have now won four straight and improved to 13-14 overall and 7-9 in the MIAA. Lincoln dropped to 1-25 overall and 0-16 in the conference.
The Tiger offense set new season highs in runs (14) and RBI (14), and tied the season high in home runs with four. Alex Weiss also extended his consecutive games on-base streak to 16 after a 2-for-4 day.
For the third consecutive game the Tigers were able to get on the board in the top half of the first as they put up a three spot on Lincoln starter Trevor Schneiders. Ty Redington led off the inning with a single and ended up on second after a Caleb Cherryholmes walk. Redington then stole third and came in to score on a sacrifice fly from Weiss. Joe Mapes then plated Cherryholmes with a double down the left field line and came around to score on a single by Connor Ross.
In the top of the second, the Tigers extended their lead to 7-0. With runners on second and third and one out, Cherryholmes launched a ball over the fence for a three-run home run. The following batter, Austin Unrein, followed up with the first of his two home runs on the day as he blasted one to center. Lincoln responded in its half of the inning, however, putting up four runs to cut the score to 7-4.
After getting one more run in the third and fourth, the Tigers put up two in the sixth. With a runner on base, Mapes hit his team-leading seventh home run pushing the Tiger lead to 11-4.
The Tigers wrapped up their scoring for the day with another three run spot in the seventh. An RBI single from Cherryholmes plated Nick Hammeke and Unrein roped his second home run of the day extending the Tiger lead to 14-4.
Lincoln was able to get one run in each the seventh and eighth, but the deficit was too much to as the Tigers completed the sweep.
Giles Fox started the game on the bump for the Tigers and did not pick up a decision going just 4.0 innings. He allowed four runs on two hits, with three walks and two strikeouts.
Clayton Basgall picked up the win in relief in 3.0 innings of work, giving up one run on three hits, with three strikeouts and a walk. Casey Sedbrook allowed a run in the eighth and Connor Boyer came in to throw a scoreless ninth inning.
The Tigers look to get back to .500 overall this season on Wednesday (Mar. 30) when they take on Washburn for a mid-week game in Hays at 4 pm.