By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped a heartbreaker in the series finale against Colorado School of Mines on Monday (Feb. 7), giving up three runs in the final two innings to see a 4-2 lead turn into a 5-4 loss. The Tigers (0-4) got a solid start from Hunter Parker and saw some timely hitting before the Orediggers (4-0) rallied for the win.
The Tigers took their first lead of the series in the home half of the fourth when FHSU rattled off four consecutive hits. Ed Scott opened the two-out rally with a single through the left side before Mason Holton reached on a single to short. Kade Wallace helped the Tigers tie things up at 1-1 with a single through the left side before Jacob Callaway put FHSU in front with a base hit to left.
After Mines tied the score in the sixth, Fort Hays State went back on top with another two-spot in the bottom of the seventh. In his first start behind the plate, Callaway came up with his second hit of the day with a one-out double to right center. Jenner Kehe and Jaxson Webb followed with two-out walks, loading the bases for pinch hitter Tico Olivas. After Mines changed pitchers in the middle of the at bat, the true freshman pulled a 2-1 pitch through the hole on the right side, driving in Callaway and Kehe and giving the Tigers a 4-2 lead.
The Orediggers responded in the final two innings, picking up pinch-hit home runs in both frames to regain the lead, 5-4. All five Mines runs came off home runs in the victory.
The Tigers made a push to tie or take the lead in the bottom of the ninth with two batters reaching base, but Mines reliever Zachary Kriethe (1-0) got out of the jam to complete the win.
Parker tossed eight solid innings, allowing three solo home runs and just five hits while striking out six batters. Jacob Ensz (0-1) took the loss after giving up the go-ahead home run in the ninth before Holton moved from third base to the mound to finished out the game. Scott, Wallace and Callaway all picked up two hits in the contest.
The Tigers will hit the road next weekend (Feb. 11-13) four a four-game series against Drury in Ozark, Mo. Action is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on Friday and at noon on both Saturday (DH) and Sunday at U.S. Baseball Park.