FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State baseball dropped to 9-30 overall and 2-24 in the MIAA this season after suffering a 9-2 loss at the hands of Nebraska-Kearney on Tuesday (Apr. 18). The Lopers improved to 13-26 overall and 6-20 in the conference.
The Tigers fell behind early when UNK scored a run in the second inning and then followed that up with a four-run third. Bryce Witchurch got the Tigers on the board in the bottom of the third when he belted his fourth home run of the season. UNK then made it a 6-1 game when they added another run in the fourth.
After another Loper run in the top of the sixth, the Tigers struck once more with a run in the bottom half. Cody Starkel led off the inning with a sharp single to right center, then wound up on third base after a double down the left field line by Marcus Altman. Witchurch then recorded his second RBI of the game with a groundout to second plating Starkel. That would be all the scoring for the Tigers, while the Lopers plated two more before the final out.
Alex Ruxlow (4-8) took the loss for the Tigers lasting two-plus innings. He surrendered five runs (four earned) while giving up six hits. The Tigers used three other pitchers in relief, Ben Ramberg, Cole Schumacher, Ryan Ruder and Jackson Rolfs, with Ramberg doing most of the damage control. He went three strong innings for FHSU, giving up a run on two hits, with a walk and two strikeouts. Schumacher gave up the final three runs to the Lopers in his 1.1 innings, while Ruder and Rolfs combined to blank UNK in the final 2.2 innings.
The Tiger homestand continues this weekend when they welcome Missouri Southern to town. The first pitch of the three-game series will take place at 7 pm on Friday (Apr. 21).