By FHSU Sports Information
Photo courtesy FHSU SID
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped game three of the series with Lindenwood on Sunday, 10-5 thanks to a five-run eighth inning from the Lions. The Tigers dipped to 13-30 overall and 5-24 in MIAA play, while the Lions moved to 22-20 on the season and 14-16 in conference play.
In a back-and-forth game between the two teams, there were three ties and six lead changes.
The Tigers struck first when Cody Starkel reached base on a fielder’s choice, plating Alex Weiss in the second inning. The Lions evened things up in the home half. Weiss continued his hot streak with an RBI single to left center, bring around Ryan Grasser to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead in the third. Lindenwood matched that in the bottom of the inning with a run of their own.
Lindenwood picked up another run, changing the lead for the third time in the contest, taking a 3-2 lead after four innings of play. Weiss obliterated a baseball over the left center wall for a two-run home run and his eighth long ball of the season.
The Lions grabbed the next two runs in the fifth frame and picked up the lead once more, this time 5-4 over the Tigers. FHSU tied the game up in the sixth after Starkel crossed home on a wild pitch, knotting the score at 5-5. Lindenwood blew the game wide open in the eighth with a five-spot and solidified the lead for good.
Ryan Ruder drew the no decision after giving up four runs on eight hits in 4.0 innings of work. Tanner Smith was charged with the loss after giving up six runs (one earned) in 3.2 innings. Weiss went 3-for-4 from the plate with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Grasser also picked up two hits on the day, going 2-for-4 in the contest.
The Tigers are back in action Wednesday (April 25) as they host Nebraska-Kearney for the final time in the series history. First pitch from Larks Park is slated for 6 p.m.