FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team jumps into MIAA play this weekend (Feb. 23-25) with a three-game series against third-ranked Central Missouri. The teams will meet up in one nine-inning contest each day Thursday through Saturday. First pitch in Thursday’s opener is set for 4 p.m., while the other two matchups will commence at 2 p.m.
The Tigers carry a 6-4 record into the series, with UCM sitting at 7-2 overall. This is the first time the Mules have played at home this season, while Fort Hays State is 0-2 in road games so far this year.
The Mules lead the all-time series with Fort Hays State 32-13, including a 13-6 edge in games played in Warrensburg. This is the fourth time in the last five years FHSU has opened the MIAA season against UCM. The Tigers won two of the three previous MIAA openers.
A radio broadcast of the games on Thursday and Friday will be available at the provided link.
The Tigers are hitting .307 as a team this season, sporting six players with a .313 or higher batting average. Dayton Pomeroy leads the squad in batting average and extra-base hits, hitting .417 at the dish with four doubles and three home runs. Ty Redington has hit safely in eight-straight games and is tied for the team lead with seven steals. The pitching staff has recorded a 4.81 ERA to date, led by sub-two ERAs from Sam Capps (1.42) and Alex Ruxlow (1.65). Ben Ramberg leads the team with 17 strikeouts, averaging more than one punch out per inning.
Central Missouri has collected a .271 batting average as a unit this year, led by Justin Graff-Rowe’s .387 average. Steven D’Amico leads the pitching rotation with a 0.53 ERA in 17 innings pitched, helping UCM to a 2.47 ERA as a team.
The series opens a 10-game road swing for the Tigers, who won’t return to Larks Park until a March 14 contest with Newman.