By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
Winter storm Landon has caused the Fort Hays State baseball team to flip sites of this weekend’s season-opening series against Colorado School of Mines. Initially scheduled to begin Friday in Golden, Colo., the Tigers will instead open the year inside historic Larks Park on Saturday (Feb. 5) at 1 p.m.
The series will continue with a doubleheader on Sunday (Feb. 6) beginning at noon before the series finale begins at 1 p.m. on Monday (Feb. 7). Admission is free once again at Larks Park this season, while live video is also scheduled to be available all season. Fans can access games via The MIAA Network for $10 for a day pass or $25 for a reoccurring monthly subscription.
The Tigers are coming off an 11-26 record a year ago, while Mines turned in a 10-20 record during the shortened 2021 season. Opening his fourth season as head baseball coach at his alma mater, this is the second time that Jerod Goodale has faced off with his former team. The Tigers went 1-3 against the Orediggers two years ago in Hays in another series that changed sites due to winter weather.
Fort Hays State returns 25 players from last season in addition to 15 new players on this year’s roster. Included in that mix of newcomers is four transfers and 10 freshmen.
Among the returners are a pair of All-MIAA honorees in Jacob Ensz and Grant Schmidt. Ensz was the top arm out of the Tiger bullpen all season, collecting six saves on the year, third-most in the conference and 14th-most in Division II. He struck out 31 batters in 30.1 innings of relief. Schmidt led the Tigers offensively in several statistical categories, including tallies of 11 home runs, 12 doubles, two triples, 43 hits, 37 runs, 29 RBI, 92 total bases, a .676 slugging percentage and a .408 on-base percentage.
The Tigers were picked 10th in the 2022 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, while Mines was tied for fifth in the RMAC preseason poll. Mines returns 30 letterwinners, including All-RMAC pitcher Ben Schoneman.
The teams were scheduled to play last season in Golden, but the series was canceled due to weather. Fort Hays State is 69-15 all-time against the Orediggers, including a 33-8 mark at home.
Fort Hays State vs. Colorado School of Mines
February 5-7, 2022 Larks Park
Game 1 Saturday, February 5 1 p.m.
Game 2 Sunday, February 6 12 p.m. (7 inn.)
Game 3 Sunday, February 6 approx. 2:30 p.m. (7 inn.)
Game 4 Monday, February 7 1 p.m.