FHSU Sports Information Department
EDMOND, Okla. – Fort Hays State had its three-game win streak snapped on Friday (Mar. 3), falling to Oklahoma Christian in the first two games of a three-game series. The Tigers moved to 5-10 overall, while Oklahoma Christian moved to 11-9 overall. The Eagles won by scores of 9-2 and 8-5.
Game 1: Oklahoma Christian 9, Fort Hays State 2
Oklahoma Christian took advantage of walks in the first game of the doubleheader, while also producing 12 hits in a seven-run victory. Fort Hays State starting pitcher Hailey Chapman struggled with her command, allowing seven walks. Four of the seven that reached via walk scored as Chapman allowed seven runs (all earned) in 3.0 innings. Carrie Clarke pitched the final three innings for the Tigers allowing two runs on six hits.
With the game tied 1-1 after two and a half innings, the Eagles scored three in the third and four in the fourth to take a commanding 8-1 lead.
Fort Hays State scored single runs in the third and fifth. Veronica Knittig had both RBI with a single in the third and a sacrifice fly in the fifth.
Game 2: Oklahoma Christian 8, Fort Hays State 5
Oklahoma Christian never trailed in the second game, but Fort Hays State pulled within two after a four-run top of the sixth inning. The Eagles tacked on an insurance run in the sixth to make the final margin three runs.
Kylie Strand made her first career start in the pitching circle for FHSU. She allowed seven runs (six earned) on six hits and four walks. Carrie Clarke tossed two-thirds of an inning and Lexie Kimminau pitched the final inning allowing one unearned run.
Lily Sale got the Tigers on the board in the second inning with an RBI single that cut an Oklahoma Christian lead to 2-1. In the sixth Bailey Kennedy had a two-RBI single and Veronica Knittig followed two batters later with an RBI single. Another run scored on the play due to an error by the Oklahoma Christian catcher.
The Tigers finish the three-game series at Oklahoma Christian with a single game on Saturday (Mar. 4) starting at 12 pm.