By FHSU Sports Information
Photo courtesy FHSU SID
The Fort Hays State baseball team looks to snap a six-game losing skid this weekend (April 20-22) when it travels to St. Charles, Mo. to take on the Lindenwood Lions. The series begins under the lights on Friday night with a 6 p.m. start before a 3 p.m. first pitch is scheduled for Saturday’s game two. The finale on Sunday is slated for a 1 p.m. start.
Live video is scheduled to be available for all three games via The MIAA Network.
Fort Hays State heads into the weekend 13-27 overall and 5-21 in MIAA play, while the Lions are 19-20 on the year and 11-16 in league action. Both teams are currently on the outside of the MIAA Tournament picture at the moment, but a series victory for either side would keep their hopes alive.
The Tigers are 5-8 all-time against the Lions in a series that started in 2013 when Lindenwood joined the MIAA. The Tigers are 2-4 at the Lou Brock Sports Complex, taking one game in both of their trips to the St. Louis suburb.
Reigning MIAA Hitter of the Week Alex Weiss is in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak, including multiple base knocks in eight of his last 10 appearances. He is batting .500 in the month of April with five home runs and 13 RBI. Addison Kaasch has been on a similar run, collecting multiple base hits in each of the last seven games while accumulating a .625 on-base percentage since the calendar turned to April (16 hits, four walks). For the year, the junior is batting .399, fifth best in the MIAA.
The Tiger pitching staff will look to keep things going on the road, as they have accumulated an ERA more than three points lower away from Larks Park as they have at home (10.71 home, 7.54 away). Sam Capps leads the charge on the road, totaling a 2.16 ERA in nine appearances away from Larks Park this season.
Drew Quinones leads the Lions offensively, collecting a team-high .375/.486/.549 slash line to go along with 14 doubles, four triples and 27 RBI. The third baseman is one of four LU players batting .300 or better, helping the Lions to a .276 team batting average. Tyler Cassmeyer paces the Lindenwood rotation, collecting a 2.62 ERA and a 5-3 record in nine starts, including a pair of complete games.