FHSU Sports Information Department
JOPLIN, Mo. – Fort Hays State dropped to 17-24 overall and 11-19 in the MIAA on Friday (Apr. 22) after a 5-2 loss to Missouri Southern. The Lions improved to 27-14 overall and 17-13 in the MIAA.
Missouri Southern jumped on the board first when it pushed a run across the plate in the bottom of the second. The lead didn’t last long as Fort Hays State evened the score in the third. With two outs, Nick Hammeke worked a full count and drew a walk. He then stole second and came around to score on an error.
FHSU jumped in front, 2-1, in the seventh. With one out, Connor Ross found the right center gap, and motored around the bases for a triple. Hammeke then plated Ross on a fielder’s choice RBI. Even with an RBI, Hammeke saw his 14-game hitting streak come to an end.
In the eighth inning, Missouri Southern rallied for four runs against FHSU reliever Austin Unrein. The Lions had five hits in the inning, four of which were doubles. Matt Smith led off the inning with a double to right, then traded places with Chris Hoffman after another to tie the game at 2-2. With two outs, Jesse Rall, made the game 3-2 with an RBI double to score Hoffman. Brett Graham then singled in Hall, and then later scored on a Richie Gorski double.
The Tigers had two runners reach base in the ninth, but they were unable to push any runs across as MSSU claimed the 5-2 victory.
Kyle Vogt had a tremendous starting effort for the Tigers, going 7.0 innings on the mound, but did not receive a decision. He allowed one run on four hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Unrein took the loss in his inning of relief.
Payton Walker of Missouri Southern picked up the win, tossing 8.0 innings with just one earned run allowed on seven hits and four walks. He struck out four. Kyle McCulloch picked up the save, throwing the ninth inning with a hit allowed an two strikeouts.
Game two of the three game series will take place on Saturday (Apr. 23) as the two teams square off at 1 pm in Joplin, Mo.