By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
OKLAHOMA CITY – Fort Hays State split a pair of games for the second straight day in Oklahoma. FHSU defeated East Central 5-4 on Monday (Feb. 21) before falling 5-0 to Oklahoma Baptist in the second contest of the day.
Fort Hays State 5, East Central 4
Fort Hays State scored first and never trailed, but had to hang on late in a one-run victory over East Central University. Regan Curry put the Tigers on the board in the second inning when she drove home Sara Breckbill. However, East Central countered with a run in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game 1-1.
Sara Breckbill put the Tigers back on top, 2-1, in the third inning with a solo homer to left field. The Tigers added on in the fourth when a fielding mistake cost East Central three runs. Lindsey Kelly hit a fly to left field that was misplayed by the fielder. Two runners were on base already and Kelly flew all the way around to score on a play that should have been the third out of the inning.
The three-run scoring play proved to be the difference in the game. East Central hit a solo home run in the sixth to cut the FHSU lead to 5-2. East Central rallied late in the seventh inning, down to its last out when it scored two on a 2-RBI double by Kenzie Lasker. However, with the potentially tying run at third, Megan Lesko of East Central grounded out to end the game.
Morgan Schmidt picked up a complete-game win for FHSU. She allowed eight hits and walked three, but struck out seven for her first collegiate win. Taia Harris threw a complete game for East Central, allowing eight hits and two walks, while striking out 11.
Oklahoma Baptist 5, Fort Hays State 0
Fort Hays State struggled to get anything going offensively against Oklahoma Baptist. The Tigers had just two hits, collected by Lindsey Kelly and Loren Beggs. Kayleigh Jones threw a complete game for the Bison, allowing three walks with the two hits and she struck out seven Tigers.
Erika Flynn started in the pitching circle for FHSU and allowed all five runs in 2.1 innings of work. OBU hit a two-run home run in the first inning, then produced an RBI single and a 2-RBI double in the third. Savanah Egger relieved for the final 3.2 innings and struck out three, while allowing just two hits.
Now 4-8 overall, Fort Hays State is scheduled to return to action Friday-Sunday (Feb. 25-27) at the Washburn Classic in Topeka, Kan. FHSU is slated to play six opponents over three days, five of which are from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.