By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader against Northeastern State Friday evening (March 22). The Tigers (2-21, 2-13 MIAA) collected nine hits in a 12-3 loss in game one before picking up two hits in an 11-1 loss in the nightcap. The RiverHawks move to 7-21 overall and 5-10 in MIAA play after the sweep.
The Tigers are scheduled to return to Larks Park for four games next week, beginning with a midweek contest against Northwestern Oklahoma State on Wednesday (Marc 27) followed by a three-game set against Lindenwood Friday-Sunday (March 29-31).
Game One: Northeastern State 12, Fort Hays State 3
The Tigers were playing from behind for the majority of the afternoon after NSU struck for eight unearned runs in the first inning. FHSU pushed across three runs in the top of the fifth when Jared Maneth and Ryan Grasser drew back-to-back bases loaded walks. Caleb Egan came in as a pinch hitter and drove in the third run with an infield single, closing the gap to 9-3 through 4.5 innings.
Landon Erway and Jared Haynes collected two hits each, with both scoring one run. Ethan Booe (0-5) was credited with the loss after allowing eight unearned runs on five hits over three innings of work. Cody Rottinghaus tossed 3.2 scoreless innings of relief, striking out five and allowing just one hit.
Game Two: Northeastern State 11, Fort Hays State 1
Fort Hays State struggled to get the bats going in game two, with the Tigers totaling just two hits in the contest. Northeastern State pitchers also issued five walks in the contest, but FHSU was unable to take advantage with runners on base.
The RiverHawks scored two runs in the second, two in the third and two in the fourth to take a 6-0 lead into the fifth inning. Ryan Stoecklein led off the top of the fifth with a single through the right side before moving to third on Tyler Olson’s double. Stoecklein then came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Marcus Altman, trimming the deficit to 6-1.
Jake Steinbring (0-1) took the loss after allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out three over four innings of work. Tanner Smith struck out two and allowed an unearned run in 1.1 innings of relief.