FHSU Sports Information Department
EDMOND, Okla. – Fort Hays State got out to a fast start in game one, but had its offense go silent midway through the game and the rest of the afternoon in a pair of losses at Central Oklahoma. The Tigers fell in game one, 5-4, in nine innings before losing by run rule in game two 8-0. FHSU moved to 13-20 overall and 7-9 in the MIAA, while UCO improved to 24-10 overall and 9-3 in the MIAA.
Game 1: Central Oklahoma 5, Fort Hays State 4 (9 inn.)
Fort Hays State got out to a great start, but squandered opportunities early to blow the game open early as Central Oklahoma stormed back in the third and fourth to tie the game. The Bronchos threatened several times late and finally cashed in with an Ally Dziadula RBI double in the second extra inning to get a 5-4 comeback win.
Fort Hays State scored three runs in the first inning as Tori Beltz hit a two-run homer and Courtney Dobson had an RBI single, all with just one out. With runners at first and third, the Tigers failed to get any more runs across as the next two batters struck out.
In the second inning, the Tigers loaded the bases with one out, but again could not score any runs lining into an inning-ending double play. In the third, the Tigers got runners to first and third but again could not cash in on a golden opportunity, leaving the score at 3-0.
The missed opportunities were costly as UCO, the top hitting team in the nation, stormed back to tie the game with a sacrifice fly RBI and a two-run homer in the bottom of the third.
The Tigers chased UCO starter Nicole Brady from the game after Rilee Krier led off the fourth with a single. Later in the inning, Samantha Villarreal put FHSU back on top 4-3 with a two-out RBI single. But again, that’s all the Tigers would get with runners left on first and third once again to end the inning. UCO ended that lead in the blink of an eye as Tori Collet hit a solo homer to lead off the bottom of the fourth, tying the game once again.
After getting the last out of the fourth, UCO reliever Abbie Lancaster settled in to hold the Tigers hitless over the final five innings of the game. She retired 13 straight Tigers until an error leading off the ninth allowed Rilee Krier to reach base. The Tigers had a great opportunity to get Krier in as she was in scoring position with one out, but a fly out and ground out ended the threat.
Central Oklahoma got its leadoff batter aboard in the ninth and cashed in on its opportunity, plating the runner from second on an Ally Dziadula walk-off double with one out.
Beltz’ home run in the first was her eighth of the season, moving her to second on the all-time home run list at FHSU, now with 27 in her career passing Adriana Wortley. Krier had a team-high three hits in the game. Paxton Duran pitched all 8.1 innings for FHSU, allowing five runs on nine hits and three walks with six strikeouts.
Game 2: Central Oklahoma 8, Fort Hays State 0
Central Oklahoma got out to a 4-0 lead through two innings and eventually pulled away for an 8-0 run rule win in six innings. After struggling at the plate for the final five innings of game one, the Tiger bats remained quiet through the first three innings of game two until Paxton Duran singled with two outs in the fourth.
The Tigers scratched out only four hits against UCO starter Jessi Walker, who threw a complete game for the Bronchos. She walked three and struck out three.
Carrie Clarke pitched the entire game for the Tigers, allowing eight runs on 14 hits and four walks with one strikeout.
Fort Hays State returns to action next weekend on the road again, traveling to Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri State for conference doubleheaders.