FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State rallied for eight runs (four in both the seventh and eighth innings) late to break a 3-3 tie and defeat Northeastern State 11-4 on Saturday (Apr. 2) at Larks Park. The victory assured the Tigers of winning the three-game series and pushed their record to 15-15 overall, 9-10 in the MIAA. NSU moved to 15-14 overall, also 9-10 in the MIAA.
Fort Hays State took the early lead, 2-0, when Connor Ross hit a solo home run and Nick Hammeke had an RBI single in the second inning. The RiverHawks got a run back in the top of the third on a solo home run, but FHSU extended its lead back to two, 3-1, when Caleb Cherryholmes hit a solo homer in the fourth.
An error with two outs in the sixth was costly for the Tigers as a double by Northeastern State’s Cody Begovich tied the game by plating runners from third and first.
The shift in momentum back to the Tigers occurred in the top of the seventh when FHSU starter Kyle Vogt worked around a leadoff triple. He got a strikeout, a sharp ground out with the infield in, and another ground out to end the threat keeping the game tied 3-3.
A hit-and-run executed perfectly by Austin Unrein in the bottom of the seventh triggered the big rally for FHSU, putting runners at first and third with no outs. Alex Weiss drove home a run on a fielder’s choice, then Alex King had a two-RBI double and Nick Hammeke had an RBI single making the score 7-3 in favor of FHSU.
After the RiverHawks got a run back in the top of the eighth on a solo home run, the Tigers put the game away with four more runs in the bottom of the eighth. With the bases loaded, an error by the NSU shortstop off the bat of Joe Mapes plated two runs, then King and Ty Redington each had RBI singles.
Giles Fox, who entered the game in relief in the eighth, picked up his third save of the season for FHSU. He pitched the final 1.2 innings, retiring all five batters he faced with two strikeouts.
Vogt picked up the win in a strong starting effort, going 7.0 innings with just one earned run allowed on six hits and two walks. He struck out a career-high seven batters. Vogt is now 4-5 on the season.
Zach Parish took the loss for NSU on the mound. He went 6.1 innings in his start, allowing six runs on nine hits and four walks. He struck out six. Parish moved to 4-2 on the season.
King had a 4-for-5 game at the plate and led the Tigers in RBI with three. Cherryholmes went 3-for-5 at the plate with an RBI and three runs scored.
The Tigers look for the three-game series sweep on Sunday. Game time is set for 12 pm.