FHSU Sports Information Department
Fort Hays State Softball heads to the MWSU Hy-Vee Classic this weekend (Mar. 17-19) to play six games against Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) opponents. The Tigers enter the weekend at 8-12 overall, currently on a three-game win streak.
Live stats will not be available for five of the six FHSU games. The game against Winona State on Sunday morning will be the only FHSU game with live stats since it is at the Griffon Softball Field. The tournament features five fields of action. Here is a link to the entire tournament schedule…Hy-Vee Classic Schedule.
Updates for the five games without live stats will be provided on FHSU Athletics’ Twitter as they are made available.
Veronica Knittig leads the Tigers in hitting with a .424 average and 17 RBI, while Bailey Boxberger has added three home runs and 14 RBI. Both have eight extra-base hits on the season. Carrie Clarke has a 3.99 ERA in the circle, sitting at 3-2 on the season.
Friday
FHSU vs. Upper Iowa – 12 pm
The Tigers face Upper Iowa to open up the weekend on Friday at noon. This will be the first meeting all-time with Upper Iowa in softball. The Peacocks enter the weekend at 4-10 overall. UIU has a team batting average of .243 and a team ERA of 5.35.
FHSU vs. Mary – 2 pm
Fort Hays State and Mary will meet for the first time since 2014. The teams have split the all-time series as FHSU won in 2013 and Mary won in 2014. The Marauders are 5-14 so far this year and open the tournament with Washburn before facing FHSU on Friday. Mary has a team batting average of .264 and a team ERA of 4.99.
Saturday
FHSU vs. Augustana – 10 am
The Tigers meet Augustana (S.D.) for the sixth time in school history on Saturday morning. The Vikings hold a 3-2 edge in the all-time series. The teams met last year in St. Cloud, Minnesota when the Tigers won 5-1. Augustana ranked No. 20 in the nation at that time. The Vikings are 10-6 on the season, entering the tournament on a five-game win streak.
FHSU vs. Sioux Falls – 2 pm
The Tigers meet Sioux Falls for the first time in history on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars enter the weekend tournament at 12-7 overall. As a team, USF has a batting average of .288 and an ERA of 3.64.
Sunday
FHSU vs. Winona State – 9 am
Fort Hays State meets Winona State for the third time in history on Sunday morning. The Warriors are off to a great start at 16-3 overall, despite not receiving any votes in the NFCA Top 25 Poll. They have a robust .353 team batting average, which ranks 15th in the nation, while their pitching staff holds a 1.51 ERA. FHSU last met Winona State in 2013, winning by a score of 12-2 when WSU ranked No. 24 in the nation.
FHSU vs. Wayne State (Neb.) – 3 pm
Fort Hays State meets Wayne State (Neb.) for the third time this season on Sunday. FHSU swept a doubleheader with WSC back in February at home by scores of 2-1 and 7-0. FHSU now leads the all-time series 6-1. Wayne State is 4-14 overall. The Wildcats are hitting just .237 as a team while holding a team ERA of 4.89.