FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team welcomes Missouri Southern to town this weekend for a three-game series at Larks Park (April 22-24). The teams will open the series at 6 p.m. Saturday before a 3 p.m. first pitch Sunday. The Monday matinee is set to begin at noon.
The Tigers head into the series 9-30 this season and 2-24 in league play, while the Lions sit at 21-22 overall and 13-16 in the MIAA. MSSU leads the all-time series, 30-18, including a 10-10 split in games played at Larks Park.
Nick Hammeke leads the Tigers with a .329 batting average and a .539 slugging percentage so far this season, thanks to 17 doubles, three triples, and three home runs. Jake Lanferman has accumulated a team-best .412 on base percentage. Ty Redington is first on the team and second in the conference with 25 steals through 39 games. Sam Capps continues to lead the Tiger pitching staff with a 4.82 ERA and 52 strikeouts, while Cole Schumacher has a 4.50 ERA in 10 innings of relief.
Missouri Southern bats .299 as a team, including Max Hogan’s team-best .318 batting average. The third baseman leads the league in slugging percentage (.778), on-base percentage (.558) and walks (44). The Lion hurlers have accumulated a 6.02 ERA this season, with Cody Smith leading the way with a 3.69 ERA over 31.2 innings of work.