FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team fell behind early and was unable to recover Tuesday afternoon (May 2), falling to Pittsburg State 11-2 on Senior Day. It was the final home game for seven Tigers, who were recognized before first pitch. This year’s senior class includes Jace Bowman, Nick Hammeke, Justin Hersch, Trevor Hughes, Ryan Imber, Ty Redington and Jackson Rolfs.
The Tigers dip to 10-36 this season and 3-30 in MIAA play, while the Gorillas improve to 23-24 overall and 17-16 in the conference. PSU is now tied for the final spot in the MIAA Tournament, one-half game in front of Northwest Missouri State, FHSU’s final league foe.
Hersch (0-3) got the start and surrendered a three-run home run in the first after a walk and an error, but settled down to face one over the minimum in the second and third innings combined. The Gorillas extended their lead to 9-0 after pushing across six runs in the fifth inning.
Bowman responded with a double to right center to lead things off in the bottom of the fifth, starting a small Tiger rally. After moving to third on a single from Bryce Witchurch, the third baseman came around to score on a RBI groundout from Imber.
In the sixth inning, Dayton Pomeroy made the score 9-2 with a towering home run that stayed just inside the left-field foul pole for his second home run in as many days. The Tigers kept PSU at bay in the top of the sixth with the help of a dazzling double play. Clayton Basgall backhanded a ball hit back up the middle before flipping the ball towards second with his glove. Hammeke barehanded the ball as he was crossing the bag before firing a strike to first, where Cody Starkel stretched out to record the out just before the batter reached the bag.
Pittsburg State eventually added two more runs in the top of the ninth on another home run from Hunter Clanin, giving the center fielder seven RBI on the day.
Austin Weiser pitched the final four innings for Fort Hays State, allowing two runs on just one hit while retiring seven in a row at one point. Witchurch was the only Tiger to pick up multiple hits, finishing 2-for-4. All five positional Tiger seniors had either a hit or a RBI in their final home game at FHSU.
The Tigers will turn around and travel to Wichita, Kan. to take on Newman Wednesday evening (May 3) beginning at 5 p.m.