By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped the series opener to Pittsburg State on Friday (May 3), 12-0. The Tigers dipped to 3-38 overall and 2-28 in the MIAA, while the Gorillas moved to 26-19 on the season and 18-13 in conference action.
Hits were hard to come by for the Tiger offense as Gorillas starter Alex Achtermann held the black and gold to one hit across five innings of work. Tyler Olson picked up the first of two total hits for FHSU in the contest as he led off the third inning with a single through the left side.
The Tigers started something in the fourth frame as Caleb Egan led off the inning with a walk. Two batters later, Ryan Grasser took one for the team and was hit by a pitch. Landon Erway loaded the bases with another Tiger walk, but the Gorillas escaped the jam with an unassisted play to third base. In the seventh inning, Grasser led off with a single to left field, but the Tigers couldn’t push in any further. FHSU could not get anything else going in the contest as the Gorillas earned 11 punchouts on the evening.
Tiger starter Ryan Ruder (1-9) was charged with the loss after allowing six runs (four earned) in 3.2 innings of work. Jake Taylor (2.1 IP) and Wyatt Schumacher (1.0 IP) allowing the other six runs the rest of the way.
FHSU and Pittsburg State will continue the three-game set on Saturday (May 4). The contest is scheduled to commence at 2 p.m. from inside Larks Park.