By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The Fort Hays State baseball team fell victim to another late comeback from Washburn on Saturday (April 13), falling to the Ichabods 16-8. The Tigers dipped to 3-30 on the season and 2-21 in MIAA play, while the Ichabods moved to 17-17 overall and 10-13 in conference action.
For the second-consecutive game, senior Bryce Baumwart lifted a fly ball over the wall at Larks Park. This time, Baumwart blasted his second home run of the season in the fifth frame with a three-run shot to left field, plating himself, Marcus Altman and Jared Maneth.
FHSU totaled three long balls on the day as Ryan Grasser sent a pitch to the opposite field over the right field wall for a two-run blast in the third inning, scoring Landon Erway and giving the Tigers a 2-1 edge at the time. Tyler Olson joined in on the party with a two-run shot of his own to right field in the fifth frame, plating Erway and pushing the Tigers ahead 4-2 at the time. Baumwart then extended the lead with his long ball, 7-2, after five innings of play.
Tiger starter Jake Taylor tossed 6.0 innings, allowing six runs on four hits, walking two batters and striking out two more. Ryan Brown (1-1) was charged with the loss after relieving Taylor in the seventh inning. Brown threw 1.0 inning, allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit. Cody Rottinghaus finished the game for the Tigers in the final two innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and walking three batters.
Washburn began their comeback bid after the fifth inning, scoring 14 runs in the final four frames.
Jared Maneth led the Tiger offense with a 3-hit game, while Erway, Grasser and Altman produced multi-hit bids on the afternoon. Baumwart totaled four RBI in the contest, with Grasser and Olson picking up two RBI each.
The series will wrap up on Sunday (April 14) at Larks Park. First pitch is scheduled for noon.