By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped the series finale with Washburn on Sunday afternoon (April 14), by a score of 13-2, inside Larks Park. The Tigers dipped to 3-31 overall and 2-22 in MIAA play, while the Ichabods moved to 18-17 on the season and 11-13 in conference action.
FHSU produced ten hits on the day, but could only push across two base runners past home plate. Three Tiger hitters earned multi-hit bids in the contest. Landon Erway, Taylan Mullins-Ohm and Bryce Baumwart each poked two base knocks on the day. Tyler Olson, Ryan Stoecklein, Marcus McDaniel and Caleb Egan (as a pinch hitter) tallied the other four hits for the Tiger offense.
For the first two games of the series, the Ichabods bats were quiet in the first five innings. However, in the series finale they put up six runs in the first two frames as opposed to the Tigers pushing only one run across in the home half of the first. Catcher Jared Maneth lifted a fly ball to deep left field, sacrificing his hit for a run from Mullins-Ohm.
The Tigers earned their second run of the game in the seventh inning when Marcus Altman drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring Erway from third. Erway and Mullins-Ohm led the inning with back-to-back singles and a double steal to get into scoring position, before Olson loaded the bases with a walk.
Tiger starter Tanner Smith pitched a season-high 6.0 innings, allowing seven runs on 10 hits and walking five batters. Smith matched his season-high with four strikeouts in the contest. Jake Vieira, Wyatt Schumacher and Cody Starkel all pitched 1.0 inning of relief each out of the bullpen, with each reliever allowing two runs.
FHSU will begin a six-game road trip next weekend when they make their way to Edmond, Okla. to face the Central Oklahoma Bronchos (April 18-20). The series is ahead one day due to the Easter holiday on Sunday. First pitch on Thursday is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside Wendell Simmons Field.