By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The Fort Hays State baseball team swept a non-conference doubleheader against Upper Iowa Wednesday afternoon (March 6), winning 11-1 in the opener before rallying for a 6-5 win in game two. The Tigers improve to 14-6 on the season, their best record through 20 games since 2010, while the Peacocks are now 3-5 on the year.
Game 1 – Fort Hays State 11, Upper Iowa 1
The Tigers scored early and often in the opener thanks to errant Peacock pitching. Fort Hays State worked 17 walks in the contest, the most by the Tigers in a game since at least 2009. Another Tiger batter was issued a free base after being hit by a pitch. UIU pitchers threw eight wild pitches in the loss.
The Tigers scored four runs in the first inning, two in the third, two in the fourth, one in the fifth and two more in the sixth.
Fort Hays State only needed four hits to secure the win, including two from Brady Kreutzer and one each from Cesar Saavedra and Trey DeGarmo.
Jose Cintron worked four walks in the contest, the most by a Tiger since 2016 (Joe Mapes). Saavedra drew three walks while DeGarmo, Shaun Gomez and Isaiah Uralworked two walks each. Elliott Herrmann drove in three runs, including two sacrifice flies, while four Tigers scored a pair of runs – Kreutzer, Saavedra, Cintron and Gomez.
Andrew Hansen (1-1) picked up the win after tossing 5.0 innings, striking out five batters while allowing one unearned run on four hits and one walk. Spencer Maleyand Brett Jacobs both worked scoreless innings of relief, with Maley striking out the side in the sixth.
Game 2 – Fort Hays State 6, Upper Iowa 5
After the Tigers sent 10 men to the plate in the first inning of game one, the Peacocks returned the favor in game two. UIU scored all five of its runs in the top of the first on four hits, two walks and one hit-by-pitch. Tanner Vaughn came on to record the final out, inducing a fly ball to prevent any further damage.
Fort Hays State was unable to answer in the bottom of the first, leaving the bases loaded before stranding another baserunner in the second. Vaughn worked a 1-2-3 inning in the second before Cade Flaherty came on to toss a spotless third inning, including two strikeouts.
The Tigers broke through in the bottom of the third when Elliott Herrmann lifted an opposite-field home run to right field with two men on base, helping FHSU close within 5-3 with his three-run home run.
Upper Iowa loaded the bases in the fourth before Dylan Rinker came on to get out of the jam with a strikeout and a groundout. Fort Hays State closed within one run in the bottom of the inning when Jamison Armstrong led off with a single through the right side. The shortstop then stole second and third before coming in to score on a ground ball from Kyle Morrell.
Rinker retired the side in order in the top of the fifth before FHSU took its first lead of the game in the home half of the inning. Herrmann led off with a single off the wall in left before Jose Cintron worked a walk. The pair came around to score on a two-RBI double from Isaiah Ural, giving FHSU a 6-5 lead.
Shaun Gomez came on to pitch the sixth, walking one batter and striking out one in a scoreless inning before Ty Riley entered the game to finish things off in the seventh. The Peacocks managed a one-out double before Riley recorded his second strikeout to put the Tigers one out away from a sweep.
After Upper Iowa pinch ran at second, Bryce Hall delivered with a pinch-hit single to left. The runner at second was waved around third, with Brady Kreutzerdelivering a strong throw to the plate. Justin Lipkasecured the ball just inside the foul line and applied the tag just as the UIU baserunner was sliding in, holding on to the ball to secure the win.
Rinker (3-1) earned the win after retiring all five batters he faced. Riley picked up his third save after striking out a pair in the seventh. The Tigers used seven pitchers in the win. Herrmann was 2-for-2 in game two with three RBI and two runs scored.
Up Next
Fort Hays State will return to conference play this weekend when the Tigers host Northeastern State in a three-game series at Larks Park. Due to the weather forecast Friday, the series will begin Saturday (March 9) with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. before wrapping up on Sunday (March 10) with a noon first pitch.