By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped a mid-week non-conference contest against Bethany College on Tuesday (April 9), 17-6. The Tigers moved to 3-28 on the season. The Swedes stayed at 12-26 overall as this was an exhibition game for Bethany.
The Tigers produced six runs on 12 hits in the contests. Landon Erway had a successful day at the plate after finishing 3-for-4 from the dish. Erway scored a run and also earned a walk as the No. 3 hitter in the Tiger lineup.
Garrett Francis and Tyler Olsen were the only other Tigers to produce a multi-hit attack at the plate. Francis produced two RBI singles on the evening when he plated Marcus Altman in the fourth frame, cutting the Swede lead to 7-3 at the time.
Tyler Olson put the Tigers on the board in the first after attempting a double steal but getting caught in a rundown. However, Erway cross home plate before the out occurred. The black and gold struck for another run in the second, this time on a successful double steal attempt when Dawson Sramek took second base and Altman stole home.
FHSU tallied three runs in the sixth when Bryce Baumwart started things with a two-out double to center field and advanced to third on a balk call on the Swede pitcher. Francis pushed Baumwart past home plate when he legged out an infield single. Bethany switched pitchers and Grasser took advantage with a single to center field, allowing Francis to challenge the throw home. The throw did beat Francis, but the Swede catcher couldn’t hold on. The Tigers kept the line moving when Taylan Mullins-Ohm plated Grasser with an RBI single up the gut of the defense, again cutting the deficit to 9-6 after six inning of play.
The Tigers were held scoreless the remaining three innings, as the Swedes tacked on two in the seventh, four in the eighth and two in the ninth.
Tiger starter Tanner Smith (1-3) was charged with the loss, allowing seven runs (five earned) on six hits across 2.2 innings of work, striking out three and walking one batter. The bullpen came on in relief with five pitchers getting work on the mound; Ryan Brown (3.1 IP), Cody Rottinghaus (1.0 IP), Chase Werth (1.0 IP) and Jake Vieira (1.0 IP).
FHSU will resume conference play this weekend when they host Washburn for a three-game set, beginning on Friday (April 12). The series-opening contest is scheduled as Pack the Park for fans of all ages to enjoy some Tiger baseball! First pitch on Friday is slated for 6 p.m.