FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – Before jumping into conference action next week, the Fort Hays State baseball team will face off with Colorado Christian in a three-game series this weekend at Larks Park (Feb. 17-19). The Tigers and Cougars will meet up in one game each day, with Friday’s first pitch set for 3 p.m., Saturday’s game starting at 1 p.m., and the Sunday finale beginning at noon.
Fort Hays State enters the weekend on a four-game winning streak and 4-3 overall this season. The Cougars have played to a 3-5 record so far this year, including a 2-2 mark against NCAA Division II opponents.
The Tigers are 5-0 all-time against CCU, with all five games being played in Lakewood, Colo. back in 2006.
The Fort Hays State offense has come alive over the last week, climbing to third in the conference with a .312 team batting average. The Tigers have collected 24 extra-base hits this season, the most in the league. Dayton Pomeroy leads the team with a .409 batting average, tallying three home runs to tie for second in the conference with Trevor Hughes. Ty Redington hits .400 as the leadoff hitter, while Jake Lanferman is also batting .400 and has scored a team-high nine runs.
After tossing five shutout innings in Wednesday’s win, Sam Capps (1-0) lowered his ERA to 0.87 while tying for the team lead with 10.1 innings pitched. Alex Ruxlow (1-1) has tossed a pair of effective games as the No. 1 starter, pitching to a 2.61 ERA in 10.1 innings of work. Zac Rothert has given up just one run in a pair of relief appearances.
The Cougars bat .238 as a team, led by 11 hits each from Kaleb Johnson and Brandon Hesselberg. On the mound CCU has compiled a 4.00 ERA, giving up 8.6 hits and 5.4 runs per nine innings. Evan Fink is 2-0 on the year, winning both of his starts after giving up just six hits and compiling 15 strikeouts.