WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Fort Hays State saw its win streak reach nine games behind a no-hitter by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/morgan-schmidt/7087">Morgan Schmidt</a>&nbsp;in the first game of a doubleheader at Southwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday. It was the 14th&nbsp;no-hitter in the program's NCAA Division II history in a 4-0 win by the Tigers. However, the season's longest winning string came to an end in the second contest as the Tigers fell 4-2. FHSU moved to 22-11 overall, while SWOSU moved to 7-27 overall. Game 1: Fort Hays State 4, Southwestern Oklahoma State 0 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/morgan-schmidt/7087">Morgan Schmidt</a>&nbsp;had not seen action in the pitching circle for just over two weeks, but returned with a bang by throwing the 14th&nbsp;no-hitter in Fort Hays State Softball's NCAA Division II history. After retiring the first seven batter of the game, she allowed just one walk to the second batter of the third inning for SWOSU. Following that, she retired 14 consecutive batters on the way to her first career no-no. Schmidt holds a high strikeout rate in the circle this year, averaging 12.32 per seven innings entering Tuesday. However, she did not need very many punchouts in this contest, finishing with just three. Eleven of the outs were flyouts and seven were groundouts. She threw 91 pitches. Schmidt has two complete games this season and both have been against Southwestern Oklahoma State. She threw a five-inning shutout against the Bulldogs in a 12-0 run-rule win in Wichita Falls, Texas back on February 11. Schmidt's no-hitter was the first since Michaelanne Nelson's 8-inning no-hitter against Oklahoma Baptist back on February 16, 2020 in Oklahoma City. The last three FHSU no-hitters have been thrown in the state of Oklahoma as Paxton Duran threw a no-no at Northeastern State in Tahlequah back on March 21, 2014. Schmidt is the seventh individual to join the individual no-hitter club at FHSU. Six of the seven have all thrown one, while Maddie Holub threw seven in her career. Head coach Adrian (Mohr) Pilkington joined Holub for the only combined no-hitter in the program's NCAA Division II history. The Tigers picked up their first run of the contest in the second inning on a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/7091">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;two-out RBI single.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lilliana-ramirez-johnson/7093">Lilliana Ramirez-Johnson</a>&nbsp;had an RBI sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to make it 2-0. The Tigers picked up another pair of runs in the fifth with two outs. Three walks in the inning loaded the bases before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/carly-stuke/7096">Carly Stuke</a>&nbsp;hit a single up the middle to plate a pair of runs, pushing the lead to 4-0. Game 2: Southwestern Oklahoma State 4, Fort Hays State 2 Fort Hays State saw its 9-game win streak come to an end in game two as a timely two-out, two-run double by SWOSU in the bottom of the sixth broke a 2-2 tie between the teams. The Tigers got the potential tying run to the plate in the seventh, but the game ended on a flyout. The Bulldogs took its first lead of the game in the second inning, also in a two-out situation. A pair of RBI singles pushed them in front 2-0.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;relieved&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/emma-montoya/7092">Emma Montoya</a>&nbsp;after just 1.2 innings of work. Montoya struck out four batters, but allowed three hits and three walks in her outing. The Tigers immediately evened the score in the third when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/peyton-shepard/7094">Peyton Shepard</a>&nbsp;led off with a single and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;walked.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/loren-beggs/7075">Loren Beggs</a>&nbsp;then brought both in to score on an RBI triple to the right field corner. However, not getting Beggs across to score when they had no outs was costly for the Tigers as they went scoreless the remainder of the game. The Tigers had a runner in scoring position in the top of the sixth, but could not come up with a two-out hit to score the run. SWOSU had a pair of two-out scoring chances in the third and fifth innings and went scoreless, but it finally cashed in on its opportunity in the sixth. A two-out walk and single set up Skyla McPhillips' game-deciding double. Carlson worked 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and five walks, while striking out two. Taryn Westbrook threw a complete game for the Bulldogs, allowing six hits and two walks. She struck out four. The Tigers return to MIAA play this weekend in Hays, hosting Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern. The doubleheader with Pittsburg State on Friday begins at 1 p.m., then the doubleheader with Missouri Southern begins at 12 p.m. on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680055417353.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State's Morgan Schmidt makes a pitch at an NCAA softball game earlier this season at Fleharty Family Field in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Morgan Schmidt makes a pitch at an NCAA softball game earlier this season at Fleharty Family Field in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsWEATHERFORD, Okla. – Fort Hays State saw its win streak reach nine games behind a no-hitter by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/morgan-schmidt/7087">Morgan Schmidt</a>&nbsp;in the first game of a doubleheader at Southwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday. It was the 14th&nbsp;no-hitter in the program's NCAA Division II history in a 4-0 win by the Tigers. However, the season's longest winning string came to an end in the second contest as the Tigers fell 4-2. FHSU moved to 22-11 overall, while SWOSU moved to 7-27 overall. Game 1: Fort Hays State 4, Southwestern Oklahoma State 0 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/morgan-schmidt/7087">Morgan Schmidt</a>&nbsp;had not seen action in the pitching circle for just over two weeks, but returned with a bang by throwing the 14th&nbsp;no-hitter in Fort Hays State Softball's NCAA Division II history. After retiring the first seven batter of the game, she allowed just one walk to the second batter of the third inning for SWOSU. Following that, she retired 14 consecutive batters on the way to her first career no-no. Schmidt holds a high strikeout rate in the circle this year, averaging 12.32 per seven innings entering Tuesday. However, she did not need very many punchouts in this contest, finishing with just three. Eleven of the outs were flyouts and seven were groundouts. She threw 91 pitches. Schmidt has two complete games this season and both have been against Southwestern Oklahoma State. She threw a five-inning shutout against the Bulldogs in a 12-0 run-rule win in Wichita Falls, Texas back on February 11. Schmidt's no-hitter was the first since Michaelanne Nelson's 8-inning no-hitter against Oklahoma Baptist back on February 16, 2020 in Oklahoma City. The last three FHSU no-hitters have been thrown in the state of Oklahoma as Paxton Duran threw a no-no at Northeastern State in Tahlequah back on March 21, 2014. Schmidt is the seventh individual to join the individual no-hitter club at FHSU. Six of the seven have all thrown one, while Maddie Holub threw seven in her career. Head coach Adrian (Mohr) Pilkington joined Holub for the only combined no-hitter in the program's NCAA Division II history. The Tigers picked up their first run of the contest in the second inning on a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/7091">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;two-out RBI single.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lilliana-ramirez-johnson/7093">Lilliana Ramirez-Johnson</a>&nbsp;had an RBI sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to make it 2-0. The Tigers picked up another pair of runs in the fifth with two outs. Three walks in the inning loaded the bases before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/carly-stuke/7096">Carly Stuke</a>&nbsp;hit a single up the middle to plate a pair of runs, pushing the lead to 4-0. Game 2: Southwestern Oklahoma State 4, Fort Hays State 2 Fort Hays State saw its 9-game win streak come to an end in game two as a timely two-out, two-run double by SWOSU in the bottom of the sixth broke a 2-2 tie between the teams. The Tigers got the potential tying run to the plate in the seventh, but the game ended on a flyout. The Bulldogs took its first lead of the game in the second inning, also in a two-out situation. A pair of RBI singles pushed them in front 2-0.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;relieved&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/emma-montoya/7092">Emma Montoya</a>&nbsp;after just 1.2 innings of work. Montoya struck out four batters, but allowed three hits and three walks in her outing. The Tigers immediately evened the score in the third when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/peyton-shepard/7094">Peyton Shepard</a>&nbsp;led off with a single and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;walked.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/loren-beggs/7075">Loren Beggs</a>&nbsp;then brought both in to score on an RBI triple to the right field corner. However, not getting Beggs across to score when they had no outs was costly for the Tigers as they went scoreless the remainder of the game. The Tigers had a runner in scoring position in the top of the sixth, but could not come up with a two-out hit to score the run. SWOSU had a pair of two-out scoring chances in the third and fifth innings and went scoreless, but it finally cashed in on its opportunity in the sixth. A two-out walk and single set up Skyla McPhillips' game-deciding double. Carlson worked 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and five walks, while striking out two. Taryn Westbrook threw a complete game for the Bulldogs, allowing six hits and two walks. She struck out four. The Tigers return to MIAA play this weekend in Hays, hosting Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern. The doubleheader with Pittsburg State on Friday begins at 1 p.m., then the doubleheader with Missouri Southern begins at 12 p.m. on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🥎 Schmidt throws no-hitter, Tigers split at SWOSU

GARDEN CITY - The Hays High softball team opened their season 13-6 win over Garden City Tuesday. Aubrey Thomas went the distance in the circle and hit a home run.&nbsp;

Thomas allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits with nine strikeouts and three walks over seven innings. Her three-run homer highlighted the Indians five-run fourth inning which gave them a 6-4 lead.

After the Buffaloes scored two in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game 6-6, Hays answered with three in the fifth to take the lead back for good. Avery Solida's sac fly scored Lakyn Zimmerman. Haley Rees then doubled driving in Elle Dreiling.

HHS would add two runs on the sixth on a Riley Dreher double then add two more in the seventh on an error and D Schmidt single.

The Indians grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a Dreher double that scored Thomas. Garden City responded with four in the bottom of the inning.

HHS returns to action Friday with a doubleheader at Valley Center.

Hays PostGARDEN CITY - The Hays High softball team opened their season 13-6 win over Garden City Tuesday. Aubrey Thomas went the distance in the circle and hit a home run.&nbsp;Thomas allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits with nine strikeouts and three walks over seven innings. Her three-run homer highlighted the Indians five-run fourth inning which gave them a 6-4 lead.After the Buffaloes scored two in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game 6-6, Hays answered with three in the fifth to take the lead back for good. Avery Solida's sac fly scored Lakyn Zimmerman. Haley Rees then doubled driving in Elle Dreiling.HHS would add two runs on the sixth on a Riley Dreher double then add two more in the seventh on an error and D Schmidt single.The Indians grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a Dreher double that scored Thomas. Garden City responded with four in the bottom of the inning.HHS returns to action Friday with a doubleheader at Valley Center.

🥎 HHS wins season opener over Garden City

McPHERSON – The Hays High girls’ soccer team dropped their
first match of the season, losing to Valley Center 2-1 in the semifinals of the
McPherson Invitational. 

Arely Maldonado scored the Indians (2-1) lone goal in the
second half on an assist from Dani Willeford.

The Indians will play Salina South in the third-place game
Friday (March 31) at 2:30pm. The Cougars lost 9-0 to Maize South.

Hays PostMcPHERSON – The Hays High girls’ soccer team dropped their
first match of the season, losing to Valley Center 2-1 in the semifinals of the
McPherson Invitational. Arely Maldonado scored the Indians (2-1) lone goal in the
second half on an assist from Dani Willeford.The Indians will play Salina South in the third-place game
Friday (March 31) at 2:30pm. The Cougars lost 9-0 to Maize South.

⚽ HHS falls to Valley Center in McPherson Invite semifinals

WICHITA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped game two of their midweek series against the Newman Jets on Tuesday by a score of 14-4 in eight innings. The Jets scored in all but one inning to secure the series win. Newman improved to 13-18 (7-10 MIAA) while FHSU falls to 13-20 (4-13 MIAA). Newman took the lead in the bottom of the first frame and didn't look back. The Jets produced five runs through two innings off Tiger starter&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/andrew-hansen/7259">Andrew Hansen</a>. It wasn't until the top of the third when the Tigers were able to push across their first run.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;started the inning off with a leadoff walk.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;found his way on-base via a single to center field. The bases became loaded for the offense after an error by Newman's second baseman.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/emile-boies/7253">Emile Boies</a>&nbsp;pushed Scott around to score with a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-1. The Jets responded right away with single runs in both the bottom of the third and fourth innings. Fort Hays got one more run in the fifth inning after Ural showed off his speed with a triple to left field, followed by another sacrifice fly from Boies. The small dose of momentum came to a quick halt in the bottom of the sixth when the Jets rattled off four more runs off three hits and two Tiger errors to push the score to 11-2. Boies continued to stay hot on the day with a solo home run in the seventh and collected another RBI after a groundout in the eighth. The infielder manned the offense for the Tigers, driving in all four of the team's runs.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;stretched his hit-streak to seven games and notched his 14th&nbsp;multi-hit game of the season with a 3-for-5 performance at the plate. Newman's starter C Wilson (1-4) picked up his first win of the season on the hill after tossing 5.0 innings, allowing just one earned run. Hansen (1-3) was used for 1.1 innings and was one of six pitchers used throughout the game. The Tigers will finish their midweek series against the Newman Jets on April 11 at Larks Park in Hays. The team will return home to Larks Park this weekend (Mar. 31-April 2) as they welcome in the frontrunner in the MIAA, the Missouri Southern State Lions. The three-game conference series is set to start at 1 p.m. on Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680055656828.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State's Isaiah Ural bats in an NCAA baseball game vs. Adams State on Friday, February 3, 2023&nbsp; at Mountain Lion Park in Colorado Springs, Colo. (FHSU Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Isaiah Ural bats in an NCAA baseball game vs. Adams State on Friday, February 3, 2023&nbsp; at Mountain Lion Park in Colorado Springs, Colo. (FHSU Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsWICHITA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped game two of their midweek series against the Newman Jets on Tuesday by a score of 14-4 in eight innings. The Jets scored in all but one inning to secure the series win. Newman improved to 13-18 (7-10 MIAA) while FHSU falls to 13-20 (4-13 MIAA). Newman took the lead in the bottom of the first frame and didn't look back. The Jets produced five runs through two innings off Tiger starter&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/andrew-hansen/7259">Andrew Hansen</a>. It wasn't until the top of the third when the Tigers were able to push across their first run.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;started the inning off with a leadoff walk.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;found his way on-base via a single to center field. The bases became loaded for the offense after an error by Newman's second baseman.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/emile-boies/7253">Emile Boies</a>&nbsp;pushed Scott around to score with a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-1. The Jets responded right away with single runs in both the bottom of the third and fourth innings. Fort Hays got one more run in the fifth inning after Ural showed off his speed with a triple to left field, followed by another sacrifice fly from Boies. The small dose of momentum came to a quick halt in the bottom of the sixth when the Jets rattled off four more runs off three hits and two Tiger errors to push the score to 11-2. Boies continued to stay hot on the day with a solo home run in the seventh and collected another RBI after a groundout in the eighth. The infielder manned the offense for the Tigers, driving in all four of the team's runs.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;stretched his hit-streak to seven games and notched his 14th&nbsp;multi-hit game of the season with a 3-for-5 performance at the plate. Newman's starter C Wilson (1-4) picked up his first win of the season on the hill after tossing 5.0 innings, allowing just one earned run. Hansen (1-3) was used for 1.1 innings and was one of six pitchers used throughout the game. The Tigers will finish their midweek series against the Newman Jets on April 11 at Larks Park in Hays. The team will return home to Larks Park this weekend (Mar. 31-April 2) as they welcome in the frontrunner in the MIAA, the Missouri Southern State Lions. The three-game conference series is set to start at 1 p.m. on Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Jets soar to midweek win over Tigers

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Morgan Brasser of Fort Hays State won the MWSU Holiday Inn Express Classic for a second-straight year on Tuesday (Mar. 28). Sitting just one stroke back in second place to start the final round at 2-over par, Brasser carded five birdies on her way to a 2-under par final round of 70. She won the tournament by three strokes over Julie Hofmanova of Missouri Western. The tournament took place at its usual location of St. Joseph Country Club. Last year Brasser won the Holiday Inn Express Classic by five strokes over Jessica Green of Rogers State with a total of 146 (+2). This year she was two strokes better at an even-par 144, thanks to seven birdies throughout the tournament to counteract five bogeys and one double bogey. Her seven birdies led the tournament field, while her 23 pars ranked sixth. Navigating her way to even-par golf in the final round through 15 holes, Brasser put the tournament away by carding birdies on two of her last three holes. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-golf/roster/aliyah-north/6953">Aliyah North</a>&nbsp;also had a great showing for the Tigers by putting together her best tournament of the season. North carded back-to-back rounds of 77 to finish at +10 (154) to tie for ninth. It was the first top-10 finish of the season for North. She filled her first-round scorecard with nine-straight pars on the back nine and 13 overall to go with five bogeys. In the second round, she had three birdies to offset eight bogeys to get to a total of 5-over par for the second-straight day. With Brasser and North finishing in the top 10, it helped Fort Hays State to a fifth-place finish as a team with a total of 638. It was the Tigers' highest placement as a team in a tournament so far this season. Missouri Western won its home tournament by 21 strokes at 604. Maryville was second at 625 and Northwest Missouri State was third at 626. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-golf/roster/shauna-lee/6949">Shauna Lee</a>&nbsp;shot rounds of 83 and 82 to tie for 24th&nbsp;individually.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-golf/roster/lexie-ridder/6951">Lexie Ridder</a>&nbsp;carded rounds of 90 and 85 to finish alone in 45th. Lee carded three birdies in the second round. Brasser now has four individual tournament titles in her career at FHSU, twice now at the MWSU Holiday Inn Express Classic. Earlier this fall she won the Augustana Fall Regional Preview and Tulsa Cup. The Tigers return to action next week at the Newman Invitational, which will be held at Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton, Kansas April 3-4.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680040632105.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State's Morgan Brasser (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Morgan Brasser (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Morgan Brasser of Fort Hays State won the MWSU Holiday Inn Express Classic for a second-straight year on Tuesday (Mar. 28). Sitting just one stroke back in second place to start the final round at 2-over par, Brasser carded five birdies on her way to a 2-under par final round of 70. She won the tournament by three strokes over Julie Hofmanova of Missouri Western. The tournament took place at its usual location of St. Joseph Country Club. Last year Brasser won the Holiday Inn Express Classic by five strokes over Jessica Green of Rogers State with a total of 146 (+2). This year she was two strokes better at an even-par 144, thanks to seven birdies throughout the tournament to counteract five bogeys and one double bogey. Her seven birdies led the tournament field, while her 23 pars ranked sixth. Navigating her way to even-par golf in the final round through 15 holes, Brasser put the tournament away by carding birdies on two of her last three holes. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-golf/roster/aliyah-north/6953">Aliyah North</a>&nbsp;also had a great showing for the Tigers by putting together her best tournament of the season. North carded back-to-back rounds of 77 to finish at +10 (154) to tie for ninth. It was the first top-10 finish of the season for North. She filled her first-round scorecard with nine-straight pars on the back nine and 13 overall to go with five bogeys. In the second round, she had three birdies to offset eight bogeys to get to a total of 5-over par for the second-straight day. With Brasser and North finishing in the top 10, it helped Fort Hays State to a fifth-place finish as a team with a total of 638. It was the Tigers' highest placement as a team in a tournament so far this season. Missouri Western won its home tournament by 21 strokes at 604. Maryville was second at 625 and Northwest Missouri State was third at 626. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-golf/roster/shauna-lee/6949">Shauna Lee</a>&nbsp;shot rounds of 83 and 82 to tie for 24th&nbsp;individually.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-golf/roster/lexie-ridder/6951">Lexie Ridder</a>&nbsp;carded rounds of 90 and 85 to finish alone in 45th. Lee carded three birdies in the second round. Brasser now has four individual tournament titles in her career at FHSU, twice now at the MWSU Holiday Inn Express Classic. Earlier this fall she won the Augustana Fall Regional Preview and Tulsa Cup. The Tigers return to action next week at the Newman Invitational, which will be held at Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton, Kansas April 3-4.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⛳ Brasser defends title at MWSU Holiday Inn Express Classic

🎥⚾️🥎 Watch This Week's Tiger Talk

Fort Hays State women's basketball coach Tony Hobson discusses his decision to retire and reflects on his 31 year coaching career.

Fort Hays State women's basketball coach Tony Hobson discusses his decision to retire and reflects on his 31 year coaching career.<div><iframe title="Tony Hobson" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=tiqiw-13ca8f0-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=2"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: Tony Hobson

Fort Hays State University women's basketball will have a new, but very 
familiar face as its leader going into the 2023-24 season. On Monday, head coach <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/tony-hobson/1136">Tony Hobson</a>
 announced his retirement after putting together a phenomenal career 
record of 745-227 in 31 seasons as a collegiate head coach, including a 
332-121 mark over 15 years that made him the winningest coach in Fort 
Hays State program history. The university and Director of Athletics 
Curtis Hammeke looked no further than the individual who has been 
instrumental in helping Hobson build the program into one of the 
strongest in NCAA Division II the last 11 years. Assistant coach <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/talia-kahrs/1137">Talia Kahrs</a> will elevate into the role of head coach. 
A press conference to officially introduce Kahrs as the next 
head coach will be held on Thursday, April 13, at the FHSU Memorial Union
 Lobby at 5 p.m. On Saturday, April 15, the university will be holding a
 celebration of <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/tony-hobson/1136">Tony Hobson</a>'s
 coaching career at the Robbins Center at 11 a.m. The delay for these 
in-person celebrations is to allow for family members to be in 
attendance. 
Hobson has elevated the FHSU women's basketball program to heights it 
never saw at the NCAA Division II level prior to his arrival, serving as
 head coach from 2008 to 2023. The program has won 20 or more games in 
12-straight seasons going back to the 2011-12 campaign, which is the 
longest-running streak in NCAA Division II. He guided the Tigers to 30 
or more wins three times and the Tigers were the No. 1 seed in the 
Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament four times under Hobson's 
leadership, making the regional final three times (2015, 2019, 2022) and
 the regional semifinals twice. FHSU was an NCAA Tournament qualifier 
seven of the last nine years after qualifying for the NCAA national 
tournament just once before Hobson became head coach. 
The Tigers enjoyed six MIAA Championships under Hobson's guidance, which
 included four regular season titles (2015, 2019, 2021, 2022) and two 
tournament titles (2019, 2022). He was the MIAA Women's Basketball Coach
 of the Year four times (2015, 2016, 2019, 2021). Hobson was also the 
WBCA Regional Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2019 and was named the 
Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Four-Year College Coach of the 
Year in 2019 and 2022. 
"Tony has done an outstanding job with our women's basketball program 
over the past 15 years," said Hammeke. "Our program has become 
consistently competitive at the conference, regional, and national 
levels during his tenure." 
Hobson started his career as head coach at Cloud County (Kan.) Community
 College in 1983-84, where he coached for six years. Eventually, he 
became head coach at Barton County (Kan.) Community College for three 
years from 1997 to 2000. Hobson notched 202 wins as a head coach in nine
 years as a junior college head coach. He then moved on to Hastings 
College (Neb.), where he put together a national powerhouse program at 
the NAIA level for seven years from 2001 to 2008. Hastings won three 
NAIA national titles (2002, 2003, 2006) under Hobson's guidance and won 
211 games, reaching the 30-win plateau in five of his seven seasons. 
Hobson then came to FHSU, where he enjoyed his longest tenure as a head 
coach and tacked on 332 wins to his career total of 745. 
"Everybody in their career knows this time will come, and hopefully you 
get to go out on your own terms like I get to," said Hobson. "It's good 
timing for me to retire. I always hoped I'd be able to leave a really 
good team and have somebody take over for me that I'm confident in and 
will take really good care of that group that I'm leaving. Both of those
 things have happened. We've been able to sustain success for a long 
period of time and hopefully the way we are transitioning into this next
 phase of the program will give us the best chance of keeping that 
going. This is a great group of players we have right now and I think 
it's going to be about as seamless of a transition as possible." 
Helping Hobson push FHSU to new heights in the NCAA Division II realm since the 2012-13 season has been FHSU graduate <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/talia-kahrs/1137">Talia Kahrs</a>
 (formerly Miller), who played for Hobson at FHSU from 2008-11. She then
 served as a student assistant coach in 2011-12 and elevated to 
assistant coach in 2012-13, highly instrumental in the success of the 
team and several great players that have been a part of the program the 
last 12 years. She has been here as both a player and coach during 
Hobson's entire 15-year tenure at FHSU. 
"I really believe in Talia," said Hobson. "She is a really intelligent, 
hard-working person and one of the more unselfish individuals I've ever 
been around. I know she has the players' respect and I think that is of 
utmost importance. She has turned into a really good recruiter, and to 
recruit kids you have to be genuine and she is that. You can't try to be
 something you're not because kids are smart, they figure that out. As 
far as X's and O's go, she's on top of it. The hard part of coaching is 
getting individuals here that fit into what you want to do, on and off 
the court. Talia has been one of the main reasons why we have been able 
to sustain what we have going here at FHSU because we have stability as a
 coaching staff. She has had plenty of interest from the outside the 
last few years and she has been very patient on doing her job at a very 
high level, waiting for her opportunity. As much of I think of her as a 
coach, I think even more highly of her as a person. I think she will do 
an excellent job." 
The Tigers have garnered 42 All-MIAA selections while Kahrs has been on 
the sideline with Hobson since 2011 to go with the six conference 
championships and seven NCAA Tournament appearances. They have also 
coached three All-America players in that span, including Kate Lehman, 
Tatyana Legette, and <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaden-hobbs/6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>. Lehman and Legette also garnered MIAA Player of the Year honors in their time as Tigers. 
"I'm just really thankful for this opportunity and to have spent as much
 time as I have with Tony. To learn under him with as successful as he 
has been over the years," said Kahrs. "I'm thankful for the way he 
allowed me to do more in my role as assistant over the years to get me 
to this point where I feel confident that I'm prepared to be head coach.
 I'm very excited and willing to take the opportunity to lead this group
 of women, a team that we've worked really hard to put together." 
"Talia possesses all the traits we want to see in a coach to lead our 
program forward," said Hammeke. "She is passionate, knowledgeable, 
enthusiastic, and has a strong work ethic. These characteristics coupled
 with her personality, love for the game, and care for our 
student-athletes, makes her well suited to take over where Tony left 
off." 
Kahrs will be the seventh head coach of women's basketball at Fort Hays State since 1969.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679968005868.png" alt="FHSU Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsFort Hays State University women's basketball will have a new, but very 
familiar face as its leader going into the 2023-24 season. On Monday, head coach <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/tony-hobson/1136">Tony Hobson</a>
 announced his retirement after putting together a phenomenal career 
record of 745-227 in 31 seasons as a collegiate head coach, including a 
332-121 mark over 15 years that made him the winningest coach in Fort 
Hays State program history. The university and Director of Athletics 
Curtis Hammeke looked no further than the individual who has been 
instrumental in helping Hobson build the program into one of the 
strongest in NCAA Division II the last 11 years. Assistant coach <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/talia-kahrs/1137">Talia Kahrs</a> will elevate into the role of head coach. 
A press conference to officially introduce Kahrs as the next 
head coach will be held on Thursday, April 13, at the FHSU Memorial Union
 Lobby at 5 p.m. On Saturday, April 15, the university will be holding a
 celebration of <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/tony-hobson/1136">Tony Hobson</a>'s
 coaching career at the Robbins Center at 11 a.m. The delay for these 
in-person celebrations is to allow for family members to be in 
attendance. 
Hobson has elevated the FHSU women's basketball program to heights it 
never saw at the NCAA Division II level prior to his arrival, serving as
 head coach from 2008 to 2023. The program has won 20 or more games in 
12-straight seasons going back to the 2011-12 campaign, which is the 
longest-running streak in NCAA Division II. He guided the Tigers to 30 
or more wins three times and the Tigers were the No. 1 seed in the 
Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament four times under Hobson's 
leadership, making the regional final three times (2015, 2019, 2022) and
 the regional semifinals twice. FHSU was an NCAA Tournament qualifier 
seven of the last nine years after qualifying for the NCAA national 
tournament just once before Hobson became head coach. 
The Tigers enjoyed six MIAA Championships under Hobson's guidance, which
 included four regular season titles (2015, 2019, 2021, 2022) and two 
tournament titles (2019, 2022). He was the MIAA Women's Basketball Coach
 of the Year four times (2015, 2016, 2019, 2021). Hobson was also the 
WBCA Regional Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2019 and was named the 
Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Four-Year College Coach of the 
Year in 2019 and 2022. 
"Tony has done an outstanding job with our women's basketball program 
over the past 15 years," said Hammeke. "Our program has become 
consistently competitive at the conference, regional, and national 
levels during his tenure." 
Hobson started his career as head coach at Cloud County (Kan.) Community
 College in 1983-84, where he coached for six years. Eventually, he 
became head coach at Barton County (Kan.) Community College for three 
years from 1997 to 2000. Hobson notched 202 wins as a head coach in nine
 years as a junior college head coach. He then moved on to Hastings 
College (Neb.), where he put together a national powerhouse program at 
the NAIA level for seven years from 2001 to 2008. Hastings won three 
NAIA national titles (2002, 2003, 2006) under Hobson's guidance and won 
211 games, reaching the 30-win plateau in five of his seven seasons. 
Hobson then came to FHSU, where he enjoyed his longest tenure as a head 
coach and tacked on 332 wins to his career total of 745. 
"Everybody in their career knows this time will come, and hopefully you 
get to go out on your own terms like I get to," said Hobson. "It's good 
timing for me to retire. I always hoped I'd be able to leave a really 
good team and have somebody take over for me that I'm confident in and 
will take really good care of that group that I'm leaving. Both of those
 things have happened. We've been able to sustain success for a long 
period of time and hopefully the way we are transitioning into this next
 phase of the program will give us the best chance of keeping that 
going. This is a great group of players we have right now and I think 
it's going to be about as seamless of a transition as possible." 
Helping Hobson push FHSU to new heights in the NCAA Division II realm since the 2012-13 season has been FHSU graduate <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/talia-kahrs/1137">Talia Kahrs</a>
 (formerly Miller), who played for Hobson at FHSU from 2008-11. She then
 served as a student assistant coach in 2011-12 and elevated to 
assistant coach in 2012-13, highly instrumental in the success of the 
team and several great players that have been a part of the program the 
last 12 years. She has been here as both a player and coach during 
Hobson's entire 15-year tenure at FHSU. 
"I really believe in Talia," said Hobson. "She is a really intelligent, 
hard-working person and one of the more unselfish individuals I've ever 
been around. I know she has the players' respect and I think that is of 
utmost importance. She has turned into a really good recruiter, and to 
recruit kids you have to be genuine and she is that. You can't try to be
 something you're not because kids are smart, they figure that out. As 
far as X's and O's go, she's on top of it. The hard part of coaching is 
getting individuals here that fit into what you want to do, on and off 
the court. Talia has been one of the main reasons why we have been able 
to sustain what we have going here at FHSU because we have stability as a
 coaching staff. She has had plenty of interest from the outside the 
last few years and she has been very patient on doing her job at a very 
high level, waiting for her opportunity. As much of I think of her as a 
coach, I think even more highly of her as a person. I think she will do 
an excellent job." 
The Tigers have garnered 42 All-MIAA selections while Kahrs has been on 
the sideline with Hobson since 2011 to go with the six conference 
championships and seven NCAA Tournament appearances. They have also 
coached three All-America players in that span, including Kate Lehman, 
Tatyana Legette, and <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaden-hobbs/6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>. Lehman and Legette also garnered MIAA Player of the Year honors in their time as Tigers. 
"I'm just really thankful for this opportunity and to have spent as much
 time as I have with Tony. To learn under him with as successful as he 
has been over the years," said Kahrs. "I'm thankful for the way he 
allowed me to do more in my role as assistant over the years to get me 
to this point where I feel confident that I'm prepared to be head coach.
 I'm very excited and willing to take the opportunity to lead this group
 of women, a team that we've worked really hard to put together." 
"Talia possesses all the traits we want to see in a coach to lead our 
program forward," said Hammeke. "She is passionate, knowledgeable, 
enthusiastic, and has a strong work ethic. These characteristics coupled
 with her personality, love for the game, and care for our 
student-athletes, makes her well suited to take over where Tony left 
off." 
Kahrs will be the seventh head coach of women's basketball at Fort Hays State since 1969.

🏀 Hobson to retire; Kahrs new head coach of FHSU women’s basketball

The TMP-Marian Lady Monarchs soccer team dropped their home opener Monday
against Wichita Independent 9-0 at Bickle Schmidt Sports Complex.

The loss drops the Monarchs and coach Shawn Lawson to 0-2 on the season
after losing to Dodge City in their season opener Thursday.

Coach Lawson has 12 players out for soccer this year, one of the smallest
teams in recent years and three of them are relatively new to the game.

Lawson said they are taking it one step at a time.

"Building on the progress, making sure they don't get down on
themselves. Because it's real easy to down on yourselves when you are losing
games 10-0, 8-0," Lawson said. "You've got to keep the perspective,
make sure they keep the perspective, we're still learning."

The Monarchs will host Nickerson Tuesday at 4 p.m.

The TMP-Marian Lady Monarchs soccer team dropped their home opener Monday
against Wichita Independent 9-0 at Bickle Schmidt Sports Complex.Independent led 5-0 at halftime.The loss drops the Monarchs and coach Shawn Lawson to 0-2 on the season
after losing to Dodge City in their season opener Thursday.Coach Lawson has 12 players out for soccer this year, one of the smallest
teams in recent years and three of them are relatively new to the game.Lawson said they are taking it one step at a time."Building on the progress, making sure they don't get down on
themselves. Because it's real easy to down on yourselves when you are losing
games 10-0, 8-0," Lawson said. "You've got to keep the perspective,
make sure they keep the perspective, we're still learning."<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1479056692&color=%23294b71&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/shawn-lawson-v-wichita-independent-march-27-2023" title="Shawn Lawson v Wichita Independent (March 27, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Shawn Lawson v Wichita Independent (March 27, 2023)</a></div></div>The Monarchs will host Nickerson Tuesday at 4 p.m.

⚽ Lady Monarchs drop home opener vs Wichita Independent

HAYS – The TMP-Marian softball team opened their season with
a pair of lopsided run-rule wins. The Monarchs defeated Russell 22-2 and 18-2
to start the season 2-0.

Game 1: TMP-Marian 22, Russell 2 (3 innings) 
The Monarchs scored 19 runs in the second inning to blow the game open. Brooke
Koeningsman had three hits and drove in four. Addison Watson also drove in four
runs.

Tegan Gottschalk pitched all three innings with three strikeouts
and three walks.

The Monarchs took advantage of eight walks and six hit
batters.

Game 2: TMP-Marian 18, Russell 2 (3 innings) 
After Russell struck for a run in the top of the first, the Monarchs answered
with 12 in the second then added six in the third.

Jaci VonLintel and Addison Watson both had three hits. VonLintel
and Brooke Koeningsman both drove in three runs.

Tegan Gottschalk walked three but did not give up a hit and
picked up her second win of the day.

Hays PostHAYS – The TMP-Marian softball team opened their season with
a pair of lopsided run-rule wins. The Monarchs defeated Russell 22-2 and 18-2
to start the season 2-0.Game 1: TMP-Marian 22, Russell 2 (3 innings) 
The Monarchs scored 19 runs in the second inning to blow the game open. Brooke
Koeningsman had three hits and drove in four. Addison Watson also drove in four
runs.Tegan Gottschalk pitched all three innings with three strikeouts
and three walks.The Monarchs took advantage of eight walks and six hit
batters.Game 2: TMP-Marian 18, Russell 2 (3 innings) 
After Russell struck for a run in the top of the first, the Monarchs answered
with 12 in the second then added six in the third.Jaci VonLintel and Addison Watson both had three hits. VonLintel
and Brooke Koeningsman both drove in three runs.Tegan Gottschalk walked three but did not give up a hit and
picked up her second win of the day.

🥎 TMP-Marian opens season with pair of wins

McPHERSON - The Hays High girls’ soccer team defeated Augusta 9-0 in their opening match at the McPherson Invitational Monday. 

The 2-0 Indians will now play Valley Center in the semifinals on Tuesday.

Hays PostMcPHERSON - The Hays High girls’ soccer team defeated Augusta 9-0 in their opening match at the McPherson Invitational Monday. The 2-0 Indians will now play Valley Center in the semifinals on Tuesday.

⚽ HHS wins McPherson Invite opener

Tiger Talk with Fort Hays State head softball coach Adrian Pilkington and head baseball coach Justin Wichert and player guest Isaiah Ural.

Tiger Talk with Fort Hays State head softball coach Adrian Pilkington and head baseball coach Justin Wichert and player guest Isaiah Ural.<div><iframe title="Tiger Talk (March 27, 2023)" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=nx25z-13c9a96-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=2"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: Tiger Talk (March 27, 2023)

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Alijah Martin, Vlad Goldin and ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic became the first and lowest-seeded team to reach this year's Final Four as the Owls withstood another huge game by Kansas State's Markquis Nowell to beat the Wildcats 79-76 on Saturday night.

FAU (35-3), making just its second appearance in the NCAA Tournament, won the East Region at Madison Square Garden and will head to Houston to play the winner of Sunday's South Region final between Creighton and San Diego State.

“I expect the prognosticators to pick us fifth in the Final Four,” fifth-year FAU coach Dusty May said.

The winningest team in Division I this season had never won an NCAA Tournament game before ripping off four straight, all by single digits, to become the first No. 9 seed to reach the Final Four since Wichita State in 2013 and the third to get that far since seeding began in 1979.

Nowell, the 5-foot-8 native New Yorker, was incredible again at Madison Square Garden, with 30 points, 12 assists and five steals, coming off a Sweet 16 game in which he set the NCAA Tournament record with 19 assists. He didn't get enough help this time.

Nae’Qwan Tomlin was the only other player in double figures for Kansas State (26-10) with 14 points. Keyontae Johnson, the Wildcats' leading scorer, fouled out with nine points.

Martin scored 17 points, including a huge 3 down the stretch, the 7-foot-1 Goldin had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Michael Forrest made four clutch free throws in the final 20 seconds for the Owls, who held steady as the Wildcats made a late push.

Cam Carter made a 3 from the wing with 22.8 seconds left to cut FAU’s lead to 75-74 and Kansas State fouled and sent Forrest to the line with 17.9 seconds left. The senior made both to make it a three-point game.

Nowell found Tomlin inside for a layup with 8.6 left to cut the lead to one again, and again K-State sent Forrest to the line. With 6.9 left, he made them both.

With no timeouts left, Nowell rushed down the court, gave up the ball to Ismael Massoud outside the 3-point line, and never got it back. FAU's Johnell Davis swiped it away and time ran out.

The Owls rushed the floor to celebrate a historic moment for the school. FAU didn't even have a basketball program until the late 1980s and has only been a Division I school for the last 30 years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679794363053.jpeg" alt="Kansas State's Markquis Nowell (1) reacts after Florida Atlantic players celebrate after defeating Kansas State in an Elite 8 college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament's East Region final, Saturday, March 25, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State's Markquis Nowell (1) reacts after Florida Atlantic players celebrate after defeating Kansas State in an Elite 8 college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament's East Region final, Saturday, March 25, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Sports WriterNEW YORK (AP) — Alijah Martin, Vlad Goldin and ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic became the first and lowest-seeded team to reach this year's Final Four as the Owls withstood another huge game by Kansas State's Markquis Nowell to beat the Wildcats 79-76 on Saturday night.FAU (35-3), making just its second appearance in the NCAA Tournament, won the East Region at Madison Square Garden and will head to Houston to play the winner of Sunday's South Region final between Creighton and San Diego State.“I expect the prognosticators to pick us fifth in the Final Four,” fifth-year FAU coach Dusty May said.The winningest team in Division I this season had never won an NCAA Tournament game before ripping off four straight, all by single digits, to become the first No. 9 seed to reach the Final Four since Wichita State in 2013 and the third to get that far since seeding began in 1979.Nowell, the 5-foot-8 native New Yorker, was incredible again at Madison Square Garden, with 30 points, 12 assists and five steals, coming off a Sweet 16 game in which he set the NCAA Tournament record with 19 assists. He didn't get enough help this time.Nae’Qwan Tomlin was the only other player in double figures for Kansas State (26-10) with 14 points. Keyontae Johnson, the Wildcats' leading scorer, fouled out with nine points.Martin scored 17 points, including a huge 3 down the stretch, the 7-foot-1 Goldin had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Michael Forrest made four clutch free throws in the final 20 seconds for the Owls, who held steady as the Wildcats made a late push.Cam Carter made a 3 from the wing with 22.8 seconds left to cut FAU’s lead to 75-74 and Kansas State fouled and sent Forrest to the line with 17.9 seconds left. The senior made both to make it a three-point game.Nowell found Tomlin inside for a layup with 8.6 left to cut the lead to one again, and again K-State sent Forrest to the line. With 6.9 left, he made them both.With no timeouts left, Nowell rushed down the court, gave up the ball to Ismael Massoud outside the 3-point line, and never got it back. FAU's Johnell Davis swiped it away and time ran out.The Owls rushed the floor to celebrate a historic moment for the school. FAU didn't even have a basketball program until the late 1980s and has only been a Division I school for the last 30 years.

🏀 FAU holds off Nowell and K-State to reach 1st Final Four

EMPORIA, Kan. - The Fort Hays State track and field teams recorded eight NCAA Division II national qualifying marks and took home three first-place finishes on the final day of the ESU Relays Saturday (March 25). The Tiger women placed third out of 22 schools, while the men were sixth in the team standings. Both men's and women's teams recorded four national qualifying marks each, including three on the track and five in field events.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/mattie-rossi/7135">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;placed first in the 400m hurdles with a national qualifying time of 1:01.24, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/lyric-holman/7123">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;finished third in the 100m dash with a national qualifying time of 11.76.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/philip-landrum/7181">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;also surpassed the national qualifying standard in the 100m dash, finishing eighth in the men's race with a time of 10.49. Two-time national champion and seven-time All-American&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ryan-stanley/7194">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;opened his final season of eligibility with a victory in the pole vault, clearing a national-qualifying height of 16-4.75.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jacob-clark/7169">Jacob Clark</a>&nbsp;also cleared the national qualifying mark, finishing second with a clearance of 16-0.75. A trio of Tigers recorded national qualifying marks in the pole vault, including a second-place finish from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/addie-berens/7115">Addie Berens</a>&nbsp;with a top toss of 152-6.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/rhyann-brown/7117">Rhyann Brown</a>&nbsp;was third with a top mark of 147-7. Competing at the collegiate level for the first time, true freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/william-tice/7215">William Tice</a>&nbsp;surpassed the provisional qualifying mark on his first-ever attempt with a toss of 195-0 to finish fourth. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emily-salmans/7136">Emily Salmans</a>&nbsp;captured the final event victory for the Tigers, winning the 800m run with a time of 2:14.68.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/taylor-savolt/7138">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;moved to ninth on the FHSU DII era performance chart in the 100m hurdles with a time of 14.57, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/chloe-stanley/7140">Chloe Stanley</a>&nbsp;improved her PR in the 400m hurdles with a time of 1:03.90.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/liberty-booker/7150">Liberty Booker</a>&nbsp;jumped to seventh on the DII era top 10 list in the shot put after finishing fifth with a top heave of 43-1.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/7163">Hayden Albright</a>&nbsp;now ranks eighth on the 100m chart with a time of 10.55. The Tigers will split up to compete at events in three different states next weekend (March 30-April 1), including the Texas Relays in Austin, Texas, the WashU Distance Carnival in St. Louis, Mo. and the Central Nebraska Challenge in Kearney, Neb. Full FHSU Results - Saturday Women 100m Dash 3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/lyric-holman/7123">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 11.76 # 14th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/tori-poe/7133">Tori Poe</a>&nbsp;- 12.35 100m Hurdles 3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/mattie-rossi/7135">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- 14.36 6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/taylor-savolt/7138">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;- 14.57 7th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/chloe-stanley/7140">Chloe Stanley</a>&nbsp;- 14.63 19th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/hadley-williams/7143">Hadley Williams</a>&nbsp;- 16.60 21st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kylin-rudzik/7158">Kylin Rudzik</a>&nbsp;- 16.92 23rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/anndee-davidson/7153">Anndee Davidson</a>&nbsp;- 17.73 24th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/ellie-dusselier/7120">Ellie Dusselier</a>&nbsp;- 17.91 400m Dash 8th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/reba-mader/7156">Reba Mader</a>&nbsp;- 58.67 12th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kinley-brown/7116">Kinley Brown</a>&nbsp;- 58.88 20th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/jasey-downing/7119">Jasey Downing</a>&nbsp;- 1:00.37 400m Hurdles 1st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/mattie-rossi/7135">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- 1:01.24 # 5th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/taylor-savolt/7138">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;- 1:02.83 6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/chloe-stanley/7140">Chloe Stanley</a>&nbsp;- 1:03.90 800m Run 1st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emily-salmans/7136">Emily Salmans</a>&nbsp;- 2:14.68 9th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/hannah-wiebe/7142">Hannah Wiebe</a>&nbsp;- 2:19.46 13th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/faith-little/7129">Faith Little</a>&nbsp;- 2:21.83 1,500m Run 10th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/faith-little/7129">Faith Little</a>&nbsp;- 4:50.14 4x100m Relay 3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/tori-poe/7133">Tori Poe</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kinley-brown/7116">Kinley Brown</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/jasey-downing/7119">Jasey Downing</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/lyric-holman/7123">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 47.28 Pole Vault 8th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/annabeth-baalmann/7149">Annabeth Baalmann</a>&nbsp;- 10-11.75 12th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kaitlin-lindstrom/7155">Kaitlin Lindstrom</a>&nbsp;- 10-0 15th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/taylor-linn/7128">Taylor Linn</a>&nbsp;- 10-0 17th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/maleigha-schmidt/7139">Maleigha Schmidt</a>&nbsp;- 10-0 Long Jump 9th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/hadley-williams/7143">Hadley Williams</a>&nbsp;- 16-7 13th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/anndee-davidson/7153">Anndee Davidson</a>&nbsp;- 16-0.25 19th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/ellie-dusselier/7120">Ellie Dusselier</a>&nbsp;- 15-4.25 22nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kylin-rudzik/7158">Kylin Rudzik</a>&nbsp;- 15-0.75 Shot Put Invite 5th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/liberty-booker/7150">Liberty Booker</a>&nbsp;- 43-1 Discus 13th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/jessica-saunders/7137">Jessica Saunders</a>&nbsp;- 124-2 20th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kieran-burke/7151">Kieran Burke</a>&nbsp;- 119-9 31st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emma-rudman/7157">Emma Rudman</a>&nbsp;- 110-10 Javelin 2nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/addie-berens/7115">Addie Berens</a>&nbsp;- 152-6 # 3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/rhyann-brown/7117">Rhyann Brown</a>&nbsp;- 147-7 # 16th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/patrisha-doll/7154">Patrisha Doll</a>&nbsp;- 130-4 37th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/hadley-williams/7143">Hadley Williams</a>&nbsp;- 84-5 40th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/anndee-davidson/7153">Anndee Davidson</a>&nbsp;- 81-5 42nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/ellie-dusselier/7120">Ellie Dusselier</a>&nbsp;- 71-7 43rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kylin-rudzik/7158">Kylin Rudzik</a>&nbsp;- 64-9 Men 100m Dash 8th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/philip-landrum/7181">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 10.49 # 13th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/7163">Hayden Albright</a>&nbsp;- 10.55 36th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/toby-wahlmeier/7217">Toby Wahlmeier</a>&nbsp;- 10.97 37th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kenny-fritsch/7210">Kenny Fritsch</a>&nbsp;- 10.99 41st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/eddie-mcvay/7476">Eddie McVay</a>&nbsp;- 11.06 110m Hurdles 16th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jonah-remsberg/7213">Jonah Remsberg</a>&nbsp;- 15.56 18th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-salmans/7192">Ethan Salmans</a>&nbsp;- 15.70 400m Dash 57th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jama-gleue/7178">Jama Gleue</a>&nbsp;- 55.02 400m Hurdles 15th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-salmans/7192">Ethan Salmans</a>&nbsp;- 57.49 20th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jonah-remsberg/7213">Jonah Remsberg</a>&nbsp;- 59.39 800m Run 18th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/isaac-radke/7189">Isaac Radke</a>&nbsp;- 1:59.44 4x100m Relay 7th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/xavier-robinson/7191">Xavier Robinson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/eddie-mcvay/7476">Eddie McVay</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/7163">Hayden Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/philip-landrum/7181">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 41.11 High Jump Invite 6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/dayton-williams/7196">Dayton Williams</a>&nbsp;- 6-6.25 Pole Vault Invite 1st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ryan-stanley/7194">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;- 16-4.75 # 2nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jacob-clark/7169">Jacob Clark</a>&nbsp;- 16-0.75 # 6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/brady-deges/7205">Brady Deges</a>&nbsp;- 14-5.25 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jonah-remsberg/7213">Jonah Remsberg</a>&nbsp;- NH Long Jump 2nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/xavier-robinson/7191">Xavier Robinson</a>&nbsp;- 23-7.25 Triple Jump 2nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/xavier-robinson/7191">Xavier Robinson</a>&nbsp;- 46-11.75 Shot Put 25th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nolan-churchman/7168">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;- 37-5.75 30th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-salmans/7192">Ethan Salmans</a>&nbsp;- 31-3.25 Hammer Throw 8th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kolgan-ohl/7186">Kolgan Ohl</a>&nbsp;- 177-1 Javelin 4th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/william-tice/7215">William Tice</a>&nbsp;- 195-0 # 13th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/garron-champoux/7167">Garron Champoux</a>&nbsp;- 175-9 16th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/tyler-stindt/7195">Tyler Stindt</a>&nbsp;- 166-8 22nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/dylan-van-laeys/7216">Dylan Van Laeys</a>&nbsp;- 150-0 24th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nolan-churchman/7168">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;- 148-1 30th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-salmans/7192">Ethan Salmans</a>&nbsp;- 116-2 31st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jonah-remsberg/7213">Jonah Remsberg</a>&nbsp;- 112-1 Friday Results Women 200m Dash 2nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/lyric-holman/7123">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 24.67 9th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kinley-brown/7116">Kinley Brown</a>&nbsp;- 25.63 11th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/tori-poe/7133">Tori Poe</a>&nbsp;- 25.68 15th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/jasey-downing/7119">Jasey Downing</a>&nbsp;- 26.01 44th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/reba-mader/7156">Reba Mader</a>&nbsp;- 26.99 72nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/allison-cross/7152">Allison Cross</a>&nbsp;- 28.48 800m Run 6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/hattie-lukert/7130">Hattie Lukert</a>&nbsp;- 2:25.37 12th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/elizabeth-fender/7146">Elizabeth Fender</a>&nbsp;- 2:28.87 20th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/ashlyn-harbaugh/7147">Ashlyn Harbaugh</a>&nbsp;- 2:35.30 1,500m Run 5th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/elizabeth-fender/7146">Elizabeth Fender</a>&nbsp;- 5:00.76 6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/hannah-wiebe/7142">Hannah Wiebe</a>&nbsp;- 5:04.43 7th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/hattie-lukert/7130">Hattie Lukert</a>&nbsp;- 5:04.77 13th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/ashlyn-harbaugh/7147">Ashlyn Harbaugh</a>&nbsp;- 5:10.92 5,000m Run 7th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/elka-billings/7144">Elka Billings</a>&nbsp;- 18:21.95 26th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/ursula-billings/7145">Ursula Billings</a>&nbsp;- 20:39.83 Shot Put Open 3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kieran-burke/7151">Kieran Burke</a>&nbsp;- 38-2.75 7th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emma-rudman/7157">Emma Rudman</a>&nbsp;- 34-3 9th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/patrisha-doll/7154">Patrisha Doll</a>&nbsp;- 21-7.5 Hammer Throw Open 3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/liberty-booker/7150">Liberty Booker</a>&nbsp;- 154-7 13th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kieran-burke/7151">Kieran Burke</a>&nbsp;- 119-10 16th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emma-rudman/7157">Emma Rudman</a>&nbsp;- 115-1 Hammer Throw Invite 21st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/patrisha-doll/7154">Patrisha Doll</a>&nbsp;- 133-10 Men 200m Dash 2nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/philip-landrum/7181">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 21.37 3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/7163">Hayden Albright</a>&nbsp;- 21.67 20th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kenny-fritsch/7210">Kenny Fritsch</a>&nbsp;- 22.26 29th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/toby-wahlmeier/7217">Toby Wahlmeier</a>&nbsp;- 22.41 81st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jama-gleue/7178">Jama Gleue</a>&nbsp;- 24.26 800m Run 14th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/javyn-contreras/7170">Javyn Contreras</a>&nbsp;- 2:01.15 22nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/andrew-waller/7208">Andrew Waller</a>&nbsp;- 2:02.96 1,500m Run 12th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jaret-pfizenmaier/7188">Jaret Pfizenmaier</a>&nbsp;- 4:06.57 14th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/javyn-contreras/7170">Javyn Contreras</a>&nbsp;- 4:07.46 22nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/andrew-waller/7208">Andrew Waller</a>&nbsp;- 4:12.92 24th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/isaac-radke/7189">Isaac Radke</a>&nbsp;- 4:13.56 53rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-emmons/7173">Ethan Emmons</a>&nbsp;- 4:38.57 5,000m Run 33rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/matthew-schrag/7193">Matthew Schrag</a>&nbsp;- 16:05.88 Pole Vault Open 6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/carter-jones/7180">Carter Jones</a>&nbsp;- 12-9.5 10th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kurtis-mccormick/7212">Kurtis McCormick</a>&nbsp;- 12-5.5 Discus 13th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kolgan-ohl/7186">Kolgan Ohl</a>&nbsp;- 146-6 ! - indicates school record mark # - indicates NCAA Division II national qualifying mark

👟 Tigers have eight national qualifiers, three champs at outdoor opener

HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State softball team picked up a pair of wins to run their win streak to eight games in a sweep of Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday. The Tigers celebrated the official naming ceremony of Fleharty Family Field with wins by scores of 2-0 and 10-2 (6 inn.). The Tigers are now 21-10 overall, 4-2 in the MIAA, while the Lopers moved to 12-18 overall, 3-3 in the MIAA. Game 1: Fort Hays State 2, Nebraska-Kearney 0 Savannah Egger spun a two-hit shutout in the first contest of the day. She struck out five Lopers and yielded three walks in her complete-game effort, moving to 10-4 on the season. It was her fourth-straight complete game, now with an 0.80 ERA and two shutouts in that stretch that goes back to March 15 at CSU Pueblo.

Regan Curry&nbsp;got the Tigers on the board in the second inning with a smash RBI single to third base that was too hot for the UNK fielder to handle. It scored Sydnee Hoffman&nbsp;as the ball trickled off down the left field line. Peyton Shepard&nbsp;provided the other RBI for the Tigers in the fifth on a triple to center field, scoring Reese Curry. Loren Beggs&nbsp;led the Tigers with two hits in the game, one being a double. Madison Pierce and Lexi Mohr&nbsp;also had doubles, which set up the runs for FHSU after Hoffman and Reese Curry&nbsp;replaced them as pinch runners. UNK pitcher Sydney Thomason and Avery Wood had the only hits for UNK. Thomason went the distance for UNK with six hits allowed and a walk. She struck out three and now stands at 6-3 on the season. Game 2: Fort Hays State 10, Nebraska-Kearney 2 The Tigers grabbed the initial lead in the second contest with a run in the first before UNK slipped past with two in the third. FHSU immediately bounced back in the bottom of the third with three runs to take the lead back 4-2. They tacked on two runs in each inning to follow, running away with a 10-2 run-rule victory in a game that saw conditions turn poor in a hurry in about the fourth inning. The last couple of innings were played in strong winds, with a mix of drizzle and flurries as a front passed through Hays. An RBI groundout by Madison Pierce&nbsp;in the first inning put the Tigers up 1-0. Bailey Carlson&nbsp;yielded the only two runs of her complete-game effort in the third on a pair of weak contact groundouts that allowed runners to score from third. The Tigers shook that off when an RBI bunt single by Sarah Tiffany&nbsp;in the bottom half of the inning tied the game at 2-2. She later came in to score on Pierce's second RBI, this time on a fielder's choice. Then Carly Stuke&nbsp;doubled home Pierce to make it 4-2.

Adysen Burhart&nbsp;notched an RBI on a ground out in the fourth and Tiffany added her third hit of the game, an RBI double to right center making in 6-2. In the fifth, Stuke rifled a ball over the left center field wall for a 2-run homer making it 8-2. The Tigers ended the game in the sixth when a wild pitch plated their ninth run and then Stuke drew a bases loaded walk to end the game by run rule. Stuke finished the game with a team-high four RBIs, while Tiffany and Pierce each cashed in two chances. Tiffany led the Tigers with three hits, while Stuke and Loren Beggs&nbsp;each had two knocks. Carlson finished with seven hits allowed and one walk, while striking out five. She moved to 7-3 on the season with her fourth-straight complete game win, going back to March 14 at MSU Denver. She has a 1.30 ERA in that stretch. Faith Gaynor took the loss for UNK, allowing six runs in 3.0 innings of work. Stacy Bott pitched the final 2.1 innings and allowed four runs. Each had one strikeout. The Tigers head south for a midweek doubleheader at Southwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday in Weatherford, Okla. Action is set to begin at 1 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679786318503.jpeg" alt="The Gene and Jo Ann Fleharty family along with the Fort Hays State softball team following the official naming of Fleharty Family Field on Saturday, March 25, 2023 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Madison Shapland)" />
 <figcaption>The Gene and Jo Ann Fleharty family along with the Fort Hays State softball team following the official naming of Fleharty Family Field on Saturday, March 25, 2023 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Madison Shapland)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State softball team picked up a pair of wins to run their win streak to eight games in a sweep of Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday. The Tigers celebrated the official naming ceremony of Fleharty Family Field with wins by scores of 2-0 and 10-2 (6 inn.). The Tigers are now 21-10 overall, 4-2 in the MIAA, while the Lopers moved to 12-18 overall, 3-3 in the MIAA. Game 1: Fort Hays State 2, Nebraska-Kearney 0 Savannah Egger spun a two-hit shutout in the first contest of the day. She struck out five Lopers and yielded three walks in her complete-game effort, moving to 10-4 on the season. It was her fourth-straight complete game, now with an 0.80 ERA and two shutouts in that stretch that goes back to March 15 at CSU Pueblo.Regan Curry&nbsp;got the Tigers on the board in the second inning with a smash RBI single to third base that was too hot for the UNK fielder to handle. It scored Sydnee Hoffman&nbsp;as the ball trickled off down the left field line. Peyton Shepard&nbsp;provided the other RBI for the Tigers in the fifth on a triple to center field, scoring Reese Curry. Loren Beggs&nbsp;led the Tigers with two hits in the game, one being a double. Madison Pierce and Lexi Mohr&nbsp;also had doubles, which set up the runs for FHSU after Hoffman and Reese Curry&nbsp;replaced them as pinch runners. UNK pitcher Sydney Thomason and Avery Wood had the only hits for UNK. Thomason went the distance for UNK with six hits allowed and a walk. She struck out three and now stands at 6-3 on the season. Game 2: Fort Hays State 10, Nebraska-Kearney 2 The Tigers grabbed the initial lead in the second contest with a run in the first before UNK slipped past with two in the third. FHSU immediately bounced back in the bottom of the third with three runs to take the lead back 4-2. They tacked on two runs in each inning to follow, running away with a 10-2 run-rule victory in a game that saw conditions turn poor in a hurry in about the fourth inning. The last couple of innings were played in strong winds, with a mix of drizzle and flurries as a front passed through Hays. An RBI groundout by Madison Pierce&nbsp;in the first inning put the Tigers up 1-0. Bailey Carlson&nbsp;yielded the only two runs of her complete-game effort in the third on a pair of weak contact groundouts that allowed runners to score from third. The Tigers shook that off when an RBI bunt single by Sarah Tiffany&nbsp;in the bottom half of the inning tied the game at 2-2. She later came in to score on Pierce's second RBI, this time on a fielder's choice. Then Carly Stuke&nbsp;doubled home Pierce to make it 4-2.Adysen Burhart&nbsp;notched an RBI on a ground out in the fourth and Tiffany added her third hit of the game, an RBI double to right center making in 6-2. In the fifth, Stuke rifled a ball over the left center field wall for a 2-run homer making it 8-2. The Tigers ended the game in the sixth when a wild pitch plated their ninth run and then Stuke drew a bases loaded walk to end the game by run rule. Stuke finished the game with a team-high four RBIs, while Tiffany and Pierce each cashed in two chances. Tiffany led the Tigers with three hits, while Stuke and Loren Beggs&nbsp;each had two knocks. Carlson finished with seven hits allowed and one walk, while striking out five. She moved to 7-3 on the season with her fourth-straight complete game win, going back to March 14 at MSU Denver. She has a 1.30 ERA in that stretch. Faith Gaynor took the loss for UNK, allowing six runs in 3.0 innings of work. Stacy Bott pitched the final 2.1 innings and allowed four runs. Each had one strikeout. The Tigers head south for a midweek doubleheader at Southwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday in Weatherford, Okla. Action is set to begin at 1 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🥎 Tigers celebrate field naming with sweep of Lopers

HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State baseball team fell in the series finale with Pittsburg State on Saturday, 11-6. The Tigers (13-19, 4-12 MIAA) and Gorillas (21-7, 13-3 MIAA) fought back and forth in the contest before a four-run ninth inning by the Gorillas put the game out of reach.

Fort Hays State jumped in front in the opening frame with two runs to give them their first lead of the series. Ed Scott&nbsp;drew a leadoff walk before Trey DeGarmo&nbsp;reached on a bunt single up the first base line. Isaiah Ural&nbsp;moved the runners over on a sacrifice bunt to set up a two-RBI single from Emile Boies. After escaping a bases loaded jam in the top of the first, Tiger starter Jake Campbell&nbsp;found himself in trouble again as the Gorillas started off the second with back-to-back singles. Pittsburg State manufactured a pair of runs in the inning to tie the game, including one unearned run, but Mikey Felton&nbsp;put the Tigers back in front with a solo shot over the left center wall in the home half of the second.

Campbell held PSU scoreless in the third before the Gorillas tied the game with a run in the fourth. Two throwing errors by the Tigers in the fifth led to two runs as the Gorillas took a 5-3 lead. Spencer Maley&nbsp;&nbsp;took over with one out in the fifth and managed to prevent further damage. But the Tigers put together a big inning in the bottom of the fifth in response, plating three runs to regain the lead. A leadoff single by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/colter-maldonado/7264">Colter Maldonado</a>&nbsp;followed by a four-pitch walk to Scott got the Tigers rolling before a double steal put the runners in scoring position. DeGarmo plated Maldonado on a sacrifice fly before a wild pitch brought home Scott. Ural capped of the inning with a solo homer to right field to put the Tigers ahead 6-5. The Gorillas quickly regained the lead with a two-run homer to left center in the sixth. Both bullpens worked efficiently down the stretch, with neither team scoring in the seventh or eighth. The Tigers picked up two free bases to lead off the eighth, but were unable to come away with a run after two strikeouts and a pop up. Pittsburg State added four insurance runs in the ninth, all of which were unearned. Maley retired the first batter of the inning and walked the second before inducing a tailor-made double play ball, but the defense was unable to make the play. The Gorillas scored one run on a sacrifice fly before a three-run home run cleared the bases and made the score 11-6. Cade Flaherty&nbsp;took the mound to record the final out and did so without allowing any more damage, but the Gorillas struck out the side in the bottom of the frame to secure the sweep. Campbell went 4 1/3 innings in his second consecutive start, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out three batters. Maley (0-1) gave up six runs (two earned) on six hits and also recorded three punchouts. Flaherty gave up one hit and recorded a strikeout to end the game. Boies finished 1-for-3 at the plate with two RBI while Scott crossed the plate twice in the finale. After collecting five hits and six runs off the PSU starter over 4.1 innings, the Tigers were hitless and scoreless in 4 2/3 innings against the Gorilla bullpen. The Tigers will go on the road on Tuesday to play the second game of the midweek series with Newman in Wichita. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679785031206.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State's Mikey Felton watches a pitch in an NCAA baseball game vs. Wayne State College on Wednesday, March, 1, 2023 at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Mikey Felton watches a pitch in an NCAA baseball game vs. Wayne State College on Wednesday, March, 1, 2023 at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State baseball team fell in the series finale with Pittsburg State on Saturday, 11-6. The Tigers (13-19, 4-12 MIAA) and Gorillas (21-7, 13-3 MIAA) fought back and forth in the contest before a four-run ninth inning by the Gorillas put the game out of reach.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1477489819&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/03-25-23-fhsu-bsb-coach-justin-wichert-interview" title="Justin Wichert Postgame vs. Pittsburg State (March 25, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Justin Wichert Postgame vs. Pittsburg State (March 25, 2023)</a></div></div>Fort Hays State jumped in front in the opening frame with two runs to give them their first lead of the series. Ed Scott&nbsp;drew a leadoff walk before Trey DeGarmo&nbsp;reached on a bunt single up the first base line. Isaiah Ural&nbsp;moved the runners over on a sacrifice bunt to set up a two-RBI single from Emile Boies. After escaping a bases loaded jam in the top of the first, Tiger starter Jake Campbell&nbsp;found himself in trouble again as the Gorillas started off the second with back-to-back singles. Pittsburg State manufactured a pair of runs in the inning to tie the game, including one unearned run, but Mikey Felton&nbsp;put the Tigers back in front with a solo shot over the left center wall in the home half of the second.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1477489807&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/03-25-24-fhsu-bsb-vs-pittsburg-state-highlights-mixdown-1" title="Fort Hays State BSB Highlights vs. Pittsburg State (March 25, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State BSB Highlights vs. Pittsburg State (March 25, 2023)</a></div></div>Campbell held PSU scoreless in the third before the Gorillas tied the game with a run in the fourth. Two throwing errors by the Tigers in the fifth led to two runs as the Gorillas took a 5-3 lead. Spencer Maley&nbsp;&nbsp;took over with one out in the fifth and managed to prevent further damage. But the Tigers put together a big inning in the bottom of the fifth in response, plating three runs to regain the lead. A leadoff single by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/colter-maldonado/7264">Colter Maldonado</a>&nbsp;followed by a four-pitch walk to Scott got the Tigers rolling before a double steal put the runners in scoring position. DeGarmo plated Maldonado on a sacrifice fly before a wild pitch brought home Scott. Ural capped of the inning with a solo homer to right field to put the Tigers ahead 6-5. The Gorillas quickly regained the lead with a two-run homer to left center in the sixth. Both bullpens worked efficiently down the stretch, with neither team scoring in the seventh or eighth. The Tigers picked up two free bases to lead off the eighth, but were unable to come away with a run after two strikeouts and a pop up. Pittsburg State added four insurance runs in the ninth, all of which were unearned. Maley retired the first batter of the inning and walked the second before inducing a tailor-made double play ball, but the defense was unable to make the play. The Gorillas scored one run on a sacrifice fly before a three-run home run cleared the bases and made the score 11-6. Cade Flaherty&nbsp;took the mound to record the final out and did so without allowing any more damage, but the Gorillas struck out the side in the bottom of the frame to secure the sweep. Campbell went 4 1/3 innings in his second consecutive start, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out three batters. Maley (0-1) gave up six runs (two earned) on six hits and also recorded three punchouts. Flaherty gave up one hit and recorded a strikeout to end the game. Boies finished 1-for-3 at the plate with two RBI while Scott crossed the plate twice in the finale. After collecting five hits and six runs off the PSU starter over 4.1 innings, the Tigers were hitless and scoreless in 4 2/3 innings against the Gorilla bullpen. The Tigers will go on the road on Tuesday to play the second game of the midweek series with Newman in Wichita. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Late rally lifts Gorillas past Tigers in series finale

HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped their series opener to Pittsburg State, 14-1, on Friday at Larks Park before falling in the second game of the series, 9-5. The Gorillas move to 19-7, 11-3 MIAA while the Tigers fall to 13-17, 4-10 MIAA.

The Tigers and Gorillas are set to wrap up the series on Saturday (March 25), with first pitch set for noon. Game One – Pittsburg State 14, Fort Hays State 1 The Gorillas got the bats going early in the weekend opener and Zac Shoemaker took command on the mound, tossing five scoreless innings. The Gorillas scored twice in the opening frame including a leadoff home run by Jake Grauberger on the second pitch of the game. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/daniel-bebee/7252">Daniel Bebee</a>&nbsp;got the nod for the Tigers on the mound and allowed six runs on seven hits over three innings before leaving early due to an injury. Pittsburg State scored two more runs in the second on another home run before adding another run in the third to take a 5-0 lead.

The Tigers began to build momentum in the bottom of the third with a walk to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;and a single from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>, but the Tigers were unable to bring them around. The Gorillas added four runs in the fourth with help from another two-run shot before pushing the lead to 10 in the sixth. The Tigers scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the sixth on a pair of back-to-back doubles from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/elliott-herrmann/7260">Elliott Herrmann</a>&nbsp;to end the shutout.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jacob-shope/7270">Jacob Shope</a>&nbsp;entered to pitch the seventh for the Tigers and held the Gorillas in check, but PSU pulled away in the eighth with four more runs. Shope threw one scoreless frame while walking three batters.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dustin-menard/6822">Dustin Menard</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trip-davis/7255">Trip Davis</a>&nbsp;combined to throw the final inning allowing two runs each. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/emile-boies/7253">Emile Boies</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ridge-stephens/6828">Ridge Stephens</a>, DeGarmo, Ural and Herrmann each tallied a hit for the Tigers. Game Two – Pittsburg State 9, Fort Hays State 5 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zach-berg/6803">Zach Berg</a>&nbsp;retired the first two batters he faced in game two before three consecutive singles from the Gorillas plated a run in the top of the first. The Tigers answered in the home half when Scott led off with a solo home run to left center. The Gorillas reclaimed the lead in following frame with a solo shot of their own before scoring two runs on an RBI single in the third. &nbsp;

The Tigers manufactured a run in the bottom of the third when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/colter-maldonado/7264">Colter Maldonado</a>&nbsp;drew a leadoff walk. Scott followed with a bunt single, with Maldonado later scoring on a wild pitch. Pittsburg State scored one run in the fourth inning, but the Tigers answered with a pair of runs to trim the deficit to 5-4. Back-to-back doubles from Boies and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zane-knox/7262">Zane Knox</a>&nbsp;plated the first run before a failed double play attempt allowed Maldonado to reach base safely and Knox to score. Pittsburg State scored a run in the fifth and another in the sixth to stretch their lead to three, but FHSU answered in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single from Boies. The Gorillas scored their final two runs in the eighth and held off the Tigers to clinch the series victory. Berg went 5.0 innings on the mound, giving up six runs on 11 hits and one walk while collecting five strikeouts.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/andrew-hansen/7259">Andrew Hansen</a>&nbsp;provided 2.2 frames of relief, allowing two runs on two hits striking out one batter before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jenner-kehe/6818">Jenner Kehe</a>&nbsp;took over to close out the eighth allowing one run on one hit.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cade-flaherty/6811">Cade Flaherty</a>&nbsp;closed out the contest for the Tigers, retiring the Gorillas in order in the ninth and picked up a strikeout. Scott finished a triple shy of the cycle, going 3-for-5 at the plate with one run and one RBI while Boies (2-for-5) recorded another multi-hit game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679719714941.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State's Zane Knox swings at a pitch in game 1 of a doubleheader with Pittsburg State on Friday, March 24 at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nick Meis)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Zane Knox swings at a pitch in game 1 of a doubleheader with Pittsburg State on Friday, March 24 at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nick Meis)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped their series opener to Pittsburg State, 14-1, on Friday at Larks Park before falling in the second game of the series, 9-5. The Gorillas move to 19-7, 11-3 MIAA while the Tigers fall to 13-17, 4-10 MIAA.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1476933349&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/03-24-23-fhsu-coach-interview" title="Justin Wichert Postgame vs. Pittsburg State (March 24, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Justin Wichert Postgame vs. Pittsburg State (March 24, 2023)</a></div></div>The Tigers and Gorillas are set to wrap up the series on Saturday (March 25), with first pitch set for noon. Game One – Pittsburg State 14, Fort Hays State 1 The Gorillas got the bats going early in the weekend opener and Zac Shoemaker took command on the mound, tossing five scoreless innings. The Gorillas scored twice in the opening frame including a leadoff home run by Jake Grauberger on the second pitch of the game. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/daniel-bebee/7252">Daniel Bebee</a>&nbsp;got the nod for the Tigers on the mound and allowed six runs on seven hits over three innings before leaving early due to an injury. Pittsburg State scored two more runs in the second on another home run before adding another run in the third to take a 5-0 lead.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1476933502&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-bsb-vs-pittsburg-state-game-1-highlights" title="Fort Hays State BSB Game 1 Highlights vs. Pittsburg State (March 24, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State BSB Game 1 Highlights vs. Pittsburg State (March 24, 2023)</a></div></div>The Tigers began to build momentum in the bottom of the third with a walk to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;and a single from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>, but the Tigers were unable to bring them around. The Gorillas added four runs in the fourth with help from another two-run shot before pushing the lead to 10 in the sixth. The Tigers scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the sixth on a pair of back-to-back doubles from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/elliott-herrmann/7260">Elliott Herrmann</a>&nbsp;to end the shutout.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jacob-shope/7270">Jacob Shope</a>&nbsp;entered to pitch the seventh for the Tigers and held the Gorillas in check, but PSU pulled away in the eighth with four more runs. Shope threw one scoreless frame while walking three batters.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dustin-menard/6822">Dustin Menard</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trip-davis/7255">Trip Davis</a>&nbsp;combined to throw the final inning allowing two runs each. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/emile-boies/7253">Emile Boies</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ridge-stephens/6828">Ridge Stephens</a>, DeGarmo, Ural and Herrmann each tallied a hit for the Tigers. Game Two – Pittsburg State 9, Fort Hays State 5 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zach-berg/6803">Zach Berg</a>&nbsp;retired the first two batters he faced in game two before three consecutive singles from the Gorillas plated a run in the top of the first. The Tigers answered in the home half when Scott led off with a solo home run to left center. The Gorillas reclaimed the lead in following frame with a solo shot of their own before scoring two runs on an RBI single in the third. &nbsp;<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1476933400&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/03-24-23-fhsu-baseball-highlights-game2" title="Fort Hays State BSB Game 2 Highlights vs. Pittsburg State (March 24, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State BSB Game 2 Highlights vs. Pittsburg State (March 24, 2023)</a></div></div>The Tigers manufactured a run in the bottom of the third when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/colter-maldonado/7264">Colter Maldonado</a>&nbsp;drew a leadoff walk. Scott followed with a bunt single, with Maldonado later scoring on a wild pitch. Pittsburg State scored one run in the fourth inning, but the Tigers answered with a pair of runs to trim the deficit to 5-4. Back-to-back doubles from Boies and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zane-knox/7262">Zane Knox</a>&nbsp;plated the first run before a failed double play attempt allowed Maldonado to reach base safely and Knox to score. Pittsburg State scored a run in the fifth and another in the sixth to stretch their lead to three, but FHSU answered in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single from Boies. The Gorillas scored their final two runs in the eighth and held off the Tigers to clinch the series victory. Berg went 5.0 innings on the mound, giving up six runs on 11 hits and one walk while collecting five strikeouts.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/andrew-hansen/7259">Andrew Hansen</a>&nbsp;provided 2.2 frames of relief, allowing two runs on two hits striking out one batter before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jenner-kehe/6818">Jenner Kehe</a>&nbsp;took over to close out the eighth allowing one run on one hit.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cade-flaherty/6811">Cade Flaherty</a>&nbsp;closed out the contest for the Tigers, retiring the Gorillas in order in the ninth and picked up a strikeout. Scott finished a triple shy of the cycle, going 3-for-5 at the plate with one run and one RBI while Boies (2-for-5) recorded another multi-hit game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Gorillas hits their way to DH sweep of the Tigers

Fort Hays State (13-16, 4-9 MIAA) vs. Pittsburg State (18-7, 10-3) Friday-Sunday, March 24-26, 2023 Hays, Kan. • Larks Park Radio&nbsp;• KAYS (94.3/1400)

<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KAYS">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> The Fort Hays State baseball team returns to MIAA play this weekend (March 24-26) when the Tigers host Pittsburg State in a three game series at Larks Park. First pitch in Friday's opener has been moved up two hours to noon. The rest of the series is tentatively scheduled for&nbsp;Saturday&nbsp;&nbsp;at 1 p.m. and a series finale Sunday at noon, with all game times subject to change due to the ever-changing forecast. The Tigers are fresh off of a doubleheader sweep over Rockhurst on Tuesday (March 21).&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/emile-boies/7253">Emile Boies</a>&nbsp;had stellar outings in the midweek showcase, with both collecting three hits each and combining for seven RBI across the two contests.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/andrew-hansen/7259">Andrew Hansen</a>&nbsp;added seven strikeouts to his team-leading total, giving the sophomore 32 punchouts for the season.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jenner-kehe/6818">Jenner Kehe</a>&nbsp;collected his first win of the season on the mound, throwing four perfect innings. The Tigers lead all of DII with 32 sacrifice bunts while leading the MIAA in walks drawn (145, 8th in DII) and on base percentage (.419, 37th&nbsp;in DII). The Tigers also rank in the top-five in the MIAA in runs (217), hits (285), doubles (54), triples (7), home runs (29), RBI (188)&nbsp;and slugging percentage (.478). <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;leads the Tigers with a .364 batting average which ranks 16th&nbsp;in the conference. DeGarmo has crossed the plate a team high 34 times which is tied for second-most in the MIAA. Ural is tied for second in the conference with 10 doubles on the year followed by DeGarmo and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;with nine each. Boies continues to lead the MIAA in walks drawn with 23, while Ural is tied for second in the league with 21 walks on the year.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/daniel-bebee/7252">Daniel Bebee</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zach-berg/6803">Zach Berg</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jake-campbell/6805">Jake Campbell</a>&nbsp;all made great starts against Central Oklahoma and will likely make up the starting rotation this weekend for the Tigers. Fort Hays State is 29-33 against Pittsburg State all-time after dropping a three-game series to the Gorillas last season. PSU is batting .315 as a team and has scored 225 runs over 25 games. Nixon Brannan leads the Gorillas at the plate batting .389 with nine doubles, nine home runs, and accumulating 40 RBI. Zac Shoemaker has been a solid starter for Pittsburg State posting a 1.24 ERA over seven starts and collecting 54 strikeouts while giving up only two walks. Fort Hays State vs Pittsburg State March 24-26, 2023 – Larks Park Game&nbsp;1 • Friday, March 24 • Noon Game 2 • Saturday, March 25 • 1 p.m. Game 3 • Sunday, March 26 • 12 p.m. *subject to change*&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679656178843.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State senior Ed Scott (8) is congratulated by Tico Olivas (1) after scoring a run at at NCAA baseball game earlier this season at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State senior Ed Scott (8) is congratulated by Tico Olivas (1) after scoring a run at at NCAA baseball game earlier this season at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsFort Hays State (13-16, 4-9 MIAA) vs. Pittsburg State (18-7, 10-3) Friday-Sunday, March 24-26, 2023 Hays, Kan. • Larks Park Radio&nbsp;• KAYS (94.3/1400)<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KAYS">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> The Fort Hays State baseball team returns to MIAA play this weekend (March 24-26) when the Tigers host Pittsburg State in a three game series at Larks Park. First pitch in Friday's opener has been moved up two hours to noon. The rest of the series is tentatively scheduled for&nbsp;Saturday&nbsp;&nbsp;at 1 p.m. and a series finale Sunday at noon, with all game times subject to change due to the ever-changing forecast. The Tigers are fresh off of a doubleheader sweep over Rockhurst on Tuesday (March 21).&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/emile-boies/7253">Emile Boies</a>&nbsp;had stellar outings in the midweek showcase, with both collecting three hits each and combining for seven RBI across the two contests.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/andrew-hansen/7259">Andrew Hansen</a>&nbsp;added seven strikeouts to his team-leading total, giving the sophomore 32 punchouts for the season.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jenner-kehe/6818">Jenner Kehe</a>&nbsp;collected his first win of the season on the mound, throwing four perfect innings. The Tigers lead all of DII with 32 sacrifice bunts while leading the MIAA in walks drawn (145, 8th in DII) and on base percentage (.419, 37th&nbsp;in DII). The Tigers also rank in the top-five in the MIAA in runs (217), hits (285), doubles (54), triples (7), home runs (29), RBI (188)&nbsp;and slugging percentage (.478). <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;leads the Tigers with a .364 batting average which ranks 16th&nbsp;in the conference. DeGarmo has crossed the plate a team high 34 times which is tied for second-most in the MIAA. Ural is tied for second in the conference with 10 doubles on the year followed by DeGarmo and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;with nine each. Boies continues to lead the MIAA in walks drawn with 23, while Ural is tied for second in the league with 21 walks on the year.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/daniel-bebee/7252">Daniel Bebee</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zach-berg/6803">Zach Berg</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jake-campbell/6805">Jake Campbell</a>&nbsp;all made great starts against Central Oklahoma and will likely make up the starting rotation this weekend for the Tigers. Fort Hays State is 29-33 against Pittsburg State all-time after dropping a three-game series to the Gorillas last season. PSU is batting .315 as a team and has scored 225 runs over 25 games. Nixon Brannan leads the Gorillas at the plate batting .389 with nine doubles, nine home runs, and accumulating 40 RBI. Zac Shoemaker has been a solid starter for Pittsburg State posting a 1.24 ERA over seven starts and collecting 54 strikeouts while giving up only two walks. Fort Hays State vs Pittsburg State March 24-26, 2023 – Larks Park Game&nbsp;1 • Friday, March 24 • Noon Game 2 • Saturday, March 25 • 1 p.m. Game 3 • Sunday, March 26 • 12 p.m. *subject to change*&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾🎙️ LISTEN - Tigers open 3-game series with Gorillas Friday

By TOM CANAVAN AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Markquis Nowell broke the NCAA Tournament record for assists in a game with 19, his last two on spectacular passes in the final minute of overtime, and Kansas State beat Michigan State 98-93 on Thursday night in a Sweet 16 thriller at Madison Square Garden.

Playing in his hometown and fighting through a second-half ankle injury, Nowell found Keyontae Johnson for a reverse alley-oop with 58 seconds left in OT to give the Wildcats (26-9) the lead for good in this back-and-forth East Region semifinal. He then threw an inbound pass to Ismael Massoud, who knocked down a jumper with 15 seconds left for a 96-93 lead.

With Michigan State needing a 3 to tie, Nowell stole the ball from the Spartans' Tyson Walker and drove for a clinching layup at the buzzer. The 5-foot-8, Harlem-raised Nowell finished with 20 points and five steals in a signature performance at basketball's most famous arena that drew tweets of praise from&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PatrickMahomes/status/1639055465060474880">Patrick Mahomes</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KDTrey5/status/1639071625432936448">Kevin Durant</a>.

“That was a legendary display of controlling a basketball game Markquis,” Durant tweeted.

Johnson scored 22 points for the No. 3 seed Wildcats, who will face either fourth-seeded Tennessee or ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic on Saturday as they seek the program's first Final Four berth since 1964.

A.J. Hoggard scored a career-high 25 points for seventh-seeded Michigan State (21-13). Joey Hauser added 18 points and Walker had 16, including a layup with 5 seconds left in regulation that forced the first overtime of this year's NCAA Tournament.

UNLV's Mark Wade had the previous NCAA tourney assists record with 18 during the Runnin' Rebels 1987 Final Four win over Indiana.

Nowell turned his ankle early in the second half, was helped off the court and had it taped. Michigan State took the lead with him sidelined, and when he returned, he pushed off the ankle&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessMBB/status/1639055043642163201">to bank in a 3-pointer that beat the shot clock</a>&nbsp;and tied the game at 55-all.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679621520833.jpeg" alt="Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell reacts after a play in the second half of a Sweet 16 college basketball game against Michigan State in the East Regional of the NCAA tournament at Madison Square Garden, Thursday, March 23, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)." />
 <figcaption>Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell reacts after a play in the second half of a Sweet 16 college basketball game against Michigan State in the East Regional of the NCAA tournament at Madison Square Garden, Thursday, March 23, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger).</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOM CANAVAN AP Sports WriterNEW YORK (AP) — Markquis Nowell broke the NCAA Tournament record for assists in a game with 19, his last two on spectacular passes in the final minute of overtime, and Kansas State beat Michigan State 98-93 on Thursday night in a Sweet 16 thriller at Madison Square Garden.Playing in his hometown and fighting through a second-half ankle injury, Nowell found Keyontae Johnson for a reverse alley-oop with 58 seconds left in OT to give the Wildcats (26-9) the lead for good in this back-and-forth East Region semifinal. He then threw an inbound pass to Ismael Massoud, who knocked down a jumper with 15 seconds left for a 96-93 lead.With Michigan State needing a 3 to tie, Nowell stole the ball from the Spartans' Tyson Walker and drove for a clinching layup at the buzzer. The 5-foot-8, Harlem-raised Nowell finished with 20 points and five steals in a signature performance at basketball's most famous arena that drew tweets of praise from&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PatrickMahomes/status/1639055465060474880">Patrick Mahomes</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KDTrey5/status/1639071625432936448">Kevin Durant</a>.“That was a legendary display of controlling a basketball game Markquis,” Durant tweeted.Johnson scored 22 points for the No. 3 seed Wildcats, who will face either fourth-seeded Tennessee or ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic on Saturday as they seek the program's first Final Four berth since 1964.A.J. Hoggard scored a career-high 25 points for seventh-seeded Michigan State (21-13). Joey Hauser added 18 points and Walker had 16, including a layup with 5 seconds left in regulation that forced the first overtime of this year's NCAA Tournament.UNLV's Mark Wade had the previous NCAA tourney assists record with 18 during the Runnin' Rebels 1987 Final Four win over Indiana.Nowell turned his ankle early in the second half, was helped off the court and had it taped. Michigan State took the lead with him sidelined, and when he returned, he pushed off the ankle&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessMBB/status/1639055043642163201">to bank in a 3-pointer that beat the shot clock</a>&nbsp;and tied the game at 55-all.Turns out he was just getting started.

🏀 Nowell breaks NCAA assist record, KSU beats MSU in OT

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

The TMP-Marian softball team is set to open the season Friday
at home against the Russell Broncos.

The Monarchs and head coach Melissa Schoepf return a lot of
experience from last year’s team that finished 12-10, losing in the 3A regional
semifinals. That includes six who started as underclassmen in the semifinals.

Schoepf said she believes the experience the five seniors
have gained from playing in the spring, as well as the summer and fall is a great
benefit.

“Their game knowledge has just grown so much from freshman
year to this year,” Schoepf said. “I’ve been able to notice at the plate, a
little more confidence with them that I hope we can carry over into games.”

&nbsp;Senior Jaci VonLintel
led the Monarchs in all major offensive categories last season. She finished
with a .486 batting average with three home runs and 35 RBIs. 

The Monarchs seniors also include Hannah Garcia, Madison
Augustine, Karli Komarek and Sophie Allen. 

Garcia, Augustine and Allen all started
at least 20 games last season with Komarek appearing in 17. 

Fellow senior
Julianna Baalman played in 20 games for the Monarchs last season but will miss
the spring season after suffering a knee injury during basketball.

Augustine went almost the entire way as the Monarchs’
starter in the circle, starting 21 games.

She finished with a 12-9 record and a 3.80 ERA in 119.2
innings.

First pitch between the Monarchs and the Broncos is set for
4 p.m. Friday at the Monarch softball complex.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostThe TMP-Marian softball team is set to open the season Friday
at home against the Russell Broncos.The Monarchs and head coach Melissa Schoepf return a lot of
experience from last year’s team that finished 12-10, losing in the 3A regional
semifinals. That includes six who started as underclassmen in the semifinals.Schoepf said she believes the experience the five seniors
have gained from playing in the spring, as well as the summer and fall is a great
benefit.“Their game knowledge has just grown so much from freshman
year to this year,” Schoepf said. “I’ve been able to notice at the plate, a
little more confidence with them that I hope we can carry over into games.” <div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1476129685&color=%232a4d75&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/tmp-softball-season-preview-melissa-schoepf-march-23-202" title="TMP softball season preview - Melissa Schoepf (March 23, 202)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">TMP softball season preview - Melissa Schoepf (March 23, 202)</a></div></div>&nbsp;Senior Jaci VonLintel
led the Monarchs in all major offensive categories last season. She finished
with a .486 batting average with three home runs and 35 RBIs. The Monarchs seniors also include Hannah Garcia, Madison
Augustine, Karli Komarek and Sophie Allen. Garcia, Augustine and Allen all started
at least 20 games last season with Komarek appearing in 17. Fellow senior
Julianna Baalman played in 20 games for the Monarchs last season but will miss
the spring season after suffering a knee injury during basketball.Augustine went almost the entire way as the Monarchs’
starter in the circle, starting 21 games.She finished with a 12-9 record and a 3.80 ERA in 119.2
innings.First pitch between the Monarchs and the Broncos is set for
4 p.m. Friday at the Monarch softball complex.

🥎 TMP-M set to open season against Russell

GREAT BEND - The Hays High girls soccer team opened their season with a 10-0 win at Great Bend Thursday. 

Freshman Annie Humphrey scores four goals. Kinslee Newell adds two. 

The Indians will be at the McPherson Invitational next week

Hays PostGREAT BEND - The Hays High girls soccer team opened their season with a 10-0 win at Great Bend Thursday. Freshman Annie Humphrey scores four goals. Kinslee Newell adds two. The Indians will be at the McPherson Invitational next week

⚽ HHS girls win season opener in Great Bend

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

A shot made in 1998 occasionally rears its head all these years later on the basketball court. In the NCAA Tournament that year, Valparaiso opened the bracket as a big underdog against Mississippi State. Valpo trailed 69-67 into the final seconds when Homer Drew called the Pacer play. An inbounds pass sailed over the midcourt line where it was quickly passed to a running Bryce Drew. The 3-point shot helped propel Valpo to the Sweet 16 as the No. 13 seed.

Great Bend-native Matt Keeley had a Cinderella story of his own going in the NAIA National Tournament. His Ottawa University Arizona (OUAZ) Spirit needed a buzzer-beater and two wins against two top-10 nationally ranked teams to advance to the Fab Four in Kansas City. OUAZ erased most of a 23-point deficit but came up a point shy of the upset against top-ranked College of Idaho to end the season with a 25-10 record.

"Our guys are starting to Ted Lasso it and hit the 'believe' sign," Keeley said of the run. "Confidence is contagious and it's a big-time drug. We were just on a roll and we were playing well. The locker room at the end was pretty devastating because we were convinced we were going to win it. We thought we had as good a shot as anyone. When it ends, it caught us offguard because we thought we had another day left in us."

The Spirit made the 800-mile trip from Surprise, Ariz. to Park City's Hartman Arena for round one of the tournament. For Keeley, a 2000 graduate of Great Bend High School, the trip was like a Homecoming.

"When the draw came out we were super excited, or I was," he said. "It had nothing to do with who we were playing and everything to do with where we were playing. It was so close to home, and knowing right away some friends and family were going to be able to get down there."

But the best finish in school history almost never happened. The Spirit trailed Baker University by four points in the final 30 seconds of the first round. OUAZ forced overtime, but again the outlook was bleak as Baker took the lead with just 2.7 seconds remaining.

"In overtime, we kind of controlled it," Keeley said. "We thought with 16 seconds to go we're going to win. We have the ball and we're ahead. Then a turnover and a clutch shot by one of their players, now with two seconds left we're going to lose. We run the old Valpo play."

The old Valpo play worked. Josiah De'LaCerda scored the final four points in regulation to force overtime, and his 3-pointer at the buzzer sent the Spirit into the second round.

"What's hilarious is we're in the locker room afterward and our guys are like, 'Coach, where did you come up with that play? That was awesome,'" said Keeley. "'Yeah, I just thought of it. It just came to me.' We had to show them the video because most of these guys weren't born until like 2001."

Things got a little easier after that. OUAZ downed seventh-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan to advance to the Round of 16 at Kansas City's Municipal Auditorium. The NAIA Tournament was played in the historic building from 1937 to 1974, then has hosted each tournament since 2002. The building played host to three of the first NCAA Final Fours. It hosted its final NCAA Tournament game in 1964.

"Wilt Chamberlain played in that building, and John Wooden has coached in that building," Keeley said. "To take your team and be a part of that, and now they get to experience it, that's what was really fun. I hope I get to do that often. Winning is hard, so you never take it for granted, but to take a team and be a part of the history of the tournament and the history of that building, and they leave that legacy, that's probably the coolest thing."

OUAZ defeated Southeastern University (Fla.) 79-71 to advance to the school's first-ever Great 8. The Spirit then knocked off tenth-ranked Montana Tech 76-58 to advance to the Fab Four. There, OUAZ drew top-ranked College of Idaho, winners of 34-straight games, including 16 consecutive wins by double figures.

The Spirit trailed by 23 points with under 13 minutes to play in that contest. Keeley's team made a run. The coach nearly decided to begin fouling with more than six minutes to play. Instead, he waited until the final media timeout and began fouling with nearly three minutes remaining. The strategy paid off as the Yotes went 18 of 30 from the line in the second half. Two late missed Idaho free throws resulted in an offensive rebound and two made free throws. Those would prove to be the difference.

Twice in the final seconds, OUAZ was able to cut the gap to a single point. De'leCerda, hero of the first game of the tournament, put up a game-tying attempt near the buzzer. He rebounded the blocked shot and swished a jumper at the buzzer, but the shot came from inside the arc. The Spirit comeback bid came up one point shy at 73-72.

Keeley accepted the job in Arizona six years ago. He's received two regional coaching honors and reached the national tournament in back-to-back seasons. It's a far cry from the program's beginnings - using area high school gyms that made it recruiting difficult. Keeley hopes that will change after this year's run.

"We have been back in the office both (Monday and Tuesday), taking a swing at some guys maybe we couldn't have gotten to answer the phone in the past," he said. "All of a sudden, we're making plans to get them on campus and into their living rooms to present all the positives we have going on out here. We think there are several of them. We're definitely trying to take that momentum and show you're not helping to build it, now you're helping to sustain it."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678798785026.jpeg" alt="Matt Keeley" />
 <figcaption>Matt Keeley</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostA shot made in 1998 occasionally rears its head all these years later on the basketball court. In the NCAA Tournament that year, Valparaiso opened the bracket as a big underdog against Mississippi State. Valpo trailed 69-67 into the final seconds when Homer Drew called the Pacer play. An inbounds pass sailed over the midcourt line where it was quickly passed to a running Bryce Drew. The 3-point shot helped propel Valpo to the Sweet 16 as the No. 13 seed.Great Bend-native Matt Keeley had a Cinderella story of his own going in the NAIA National Tournament. His Ottawa University Arizona (OUAZ) Spirit needed a buzzer-beater and two wins against two top-10 nationally ranked teams to advance to the Fab Four in Kansas City. OUAZ erased most of a 23-point deficit but came up a point shy of the upset against top-ranked College of Idaho to end the season with a 25-10 record."Our guys are starting to Ted Lasso it and hit the 'believe' sign," Keeley said of the run. "Confidence is contagious and it's a big-time drug. We were just on a roll and we were playing well. The locker room at the end was pretty devastating because we were convinced we were going to win it. We thought we had as good a shot as anyone. When it ends, it caught us offguard because we thought we had another day left in us."The Spirit made the 800-mile trip from Surprise, Ariz. to Park City's Hartman Arena for round one of the tournament. For Keeley, a 2000 graduate of Great Bend High School, the trip was like a Homecoming.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678381237830.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"When the draw came out we were super excited, or I was," he said. "It had nothing to do with who we were playing and everything to do with where we were playing. It was so close to home, and knowing right away some friends and family were going to be able to get down there."But the best finish in school history almost never happened. The Spirit trailed Baker University by four points in the final 30 seconds of the first round. OUAZ forced overtime, but again the outlook was bleak as Baker took the lead with just 2.7 seconds remaining."In overtime, we kind of controlled it," Keeley said. "We thought with 16 seconds to go we're going to win. We have the ball and we're ahead. Then a turnover and a clutch shot by one of their players, now with two seconds left we're going to lose. We run the old Valpo play."The old Valpo play worked. Josiah De'LaCerda scored the final four points in regulation to force overtime, and his 3-pointer at the buzzer sent the Spirit into the second round."What's hilarious is we're in the locker room afterward and our guys are like, 'Coach, where did you come up with that play? That was awesome,'" said Keeley. "'Yeah, I just thought of it. It just came to me.' We had to show them the video because most of these guys weren't born until like 2001."Things got a little easier after that. OUAZ downed seventh-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan to advance to the Round of 16 at Kansas City's Municipal Auditorium. The NAIA Tournament was played in the historic building from 1937 to 1974, then has hosted each tournament since 2002. The building played host to three of the first NCAA Final Fours. It hosted its final NCAA Tournament game in 1964.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679604028512.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"Wilt Chamberlain played in that building, and John Wooden has coached in that building," Keeley said. "To take your team and be a part of that, and now they get to experience it, that's what was really fun. I hope I get to do that often. Winning is hard, so you never take it for granted, but to take a team and be a part of the history of the tournament and the history of that building, and they leave that legacy, that's probably the coolest thing."OUAZ defeated Southeastern University (Fla.) 79-71 to advance to the school's first-ever Great 8. The Spirit then knocked off tenth-ranked Montana Tech 76-58 to advance to the Fab Four. There, OUAZ drew top-ranked College of Idaho, winners of 34-straight games, including 16 consecutive wins by double figures.The Spirit trailed by 23 points with under 13 minutes to play in that contest. Keeley's team made a run. The coach nearly decided to begin fouling with more than six minutes to play. Instead, he waited until the final media timeout and began fouling with nearly three minutes remaining. The strategy paid off as the Yotes went 18 of 30 from the line in the second half. Two late missed Idaho free throws resulted in an offensive rebound and two made free throws. Those would prove to be the difference.Twice in the final seconds, OUAZ was able to cut the gap to a single point. De'leCerda, hero of the first game of the tournament, put up a game-tying attempt near the buzzer. He rebounded the blocked shot and swished a jumper at the buzzer, but the shot came from inside the arc. The Spirit comeback bid came up one point shy at 73-72.Keeley accepted the job in Arizona six years ago. He's received two regional coaching honors and reached the national tournament in back-to-back seasons. It's a far cry from the program's beginnings - using area high school gyms that made it recruiting difficult. Keeley hopes that will change after this year's run."We have been back in the office both (Monday and Tuesday), taking a swing at some guys maybe we couldn't have gotten to answer the phone in the past," he said. "All of a sudden, we're making plans to get them on campus and into their living rooms to present all the positives we have going on out here. We think there are several of them. We're definitely trying to take that momentum and show you're not helping to build it, now you're helping to sustain it."

🏀 Great Bend native Keeley shares the ups, downs of NAIA tourney run

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State men's basketball team placed six student-athletes on the 2022-23 MIAA Academic Honor Roll, announced Thursday by the league office. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/elijah-nnanabu/6902">Elijah Nnanabu</a>&nbsp;was one of just three players across the entire conference to earn the Scholar-Athlete Award, his first-such honor. Other Tigers on the Academic Honor Roll included&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/traejon-davis/6896">Traejon Davis</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/geoff-hamperian/6899">Geoff Hamperian</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/bjarni-jonsson/6901">Bjarni Jonsson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/gabe-pieschl/6904">Gabe Pieschl</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/devin-walker/6905">Devin Walker</a>. To qualify as a Scholar-Athlete an individual must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.50 at the certifying member institution. They must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. The student-athlete must also earn All-MIAA honors during the current season. To be recognized on the Academic Honor Roll, one must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.00 at the certifying member institution. The individual must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. First-year student-athletes, including transfers and true freshmen, will be recognized at the conclusion of the school year when they meet the two terms of attendance requirement. 2022-23 MIAA Men's BasketballAcademic Honor RollNameGPAMajor<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/traejon-davis/6896">Traejon Davis</a>3.40Communication (Public Relations &amp; Advertising)<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/geoff-hamperian/6899">Geoff Hamperian</a>3.66HHP (Exercise Science) - Masters<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/bjarni-jonsson/6901">Bjarni Jonsson</a>3.35Computer Science*&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/elijah-nnanabu/6902">Elijah Nnanabu</a>3.54HHP (Exercise Science)<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/gabe-pieschl/6904">Gabe Pieschl</a>3.53HHP (Sport &amp; Exercise Therapy)<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/devin-walker/6905">Devin Walker</a>3.53HHP (Sport &amp; Exercise Therapy)&nbsp; * indicates MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679586011396.png" alt="FHSU-MBKB-Academic.png" />
 <figcaption>FHSU-MBKB-Academic.png</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsKANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State men's basketball team placed six student-athletes on the 2022-23 MIAA Academic Honor Roll, announced Thursday by the league office. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/elijah-nnanabu/6902">Elijah Nnanabu</a>&nbsp;was one of just three players across the entire conference to earn the Scholar-Athlete Award, his first-such honor. Other Tigers on the Academic Honor Roll included&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/traejon-davis/6896">Traejon Davis</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/geoff-hamperian/6899">Geoff Hamperian</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/bjarni-jonsson/6901">Bjarni Jonsson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/gabe-pieschl/6904">Gabe Pieschl</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/devin-walker/6905">Devin Walker</a>. To qualify as a Scholar-Athlete an individual must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.50 at the certifying member institution. They must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. The student-athlete must also earn All-MIAA honors during the current season. To be recognized on the Academic Honor Roll, one must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.00 at the certifying member institution. The individual must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. First-year student-athletes, including transfers and true freshmen, will be recognized at the conclusion of the school year when they meet the two terms of attendance requirement. 2022-23 MIAA Men's BasketballAcademic Honor RollNameGPAMajor<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/traejon-davis/6896">Traejon Davis</a>3.40Communication (Public Relations &amp; Advertising)<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/geoff-hamperian/6899">Geoff Hamperian</a>3.66HHP (Exercise Science) - Masters<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/bjarni-jonsson/6901">Bjarni Jonsson</a>3.35Computer Science*&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/elijah-nnanabu/6902">Elijah Nnanabu</a>3.54HHP (Exercise Science)<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/gabe-pieschl/6904">Gabe Pieschl</a>3.53HHP (Sport &amp; Exercise Therapy)<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/devin-walker/6905">Devin Walker</a>3.53HHP (Sport &amp; Exercise Therapy)&nbsp; * indicates MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Six FHSU men listed on MIAA Academic Honor Roll

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team placed all eight returning student-athletes on the 2022-23 MIAA Academic Honor Roll, announced Thursday (March 23) by the league office. Four Tigers received special honors, including two Scholar-Athlete Award recipients and two MIAA Academic Excellence Award winners. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kate-dilsaver/6841">Kate Dilsaver</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/megan-earney/6842">Megan Earney</a>&nbsp;were two of 16 MIAA Academic Excellence Award winners league-wide. It is the second-such honor for each individual. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/olivia-hollenbeck/6845">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/katie-wagner/6848">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;both received the Scholar-Athlete Award alongside 16 other athletes in the league. It is the third Scholar-Athlete Award for Hollenbeck and the second for Wagner. Also earning a spot on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll was&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/sydney-golladay/6844">Sydney Golladay</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/emma-ruddle/6846">Emma Ruddle</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jessie-sallach/6847">Jessie Sallach</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kia-wilson/6849">Kia Wilson</a>. An MIAA Academic Excellence Award recipient must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 4.00 or better at the certifying member institution. The honoree also must have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. To qualify as a Scholar-Athlete an individual must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.50 at the certifying member institution. They must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. The student-athlete must also earn All-MIAA honors during the current season. To be recognized on the Academic Honor Roll, one must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.00 at the certifying member institution. The individual must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. First-year student-athletes, including transfers and true freshmen, will be recognized at the conclusion of the school year when they meet the two terms of attendance requirement. 2022-23 MIAA Women's Basketball Academic Honor RollNameGPAMajor<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kate-dilsaver/6841">Kate Dilsaver</a>4.00Accounting<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/megan-earney/6842">Megan Earney</a>4.00Marketing<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/sydney-golladay/6844">Sydney Golladay</a>3.48Elementary Education*&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/olivia-hollenbeck/6845">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>3.65General Studies<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/emma-ruddle/6846">Emma Ruddle</a>3.83Nursing<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jessie-sallach/6847">Jessie Sallach</a>3.92HHP (Sport Management/Recreation)*&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/katie-wagner/6848">Katie Wagner</a>3.88Accounting<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kia-wilson/6849">Kia Wilson</a>3.87HHP (Sport &amp; Exercise Therapy)&nbsp; Bold&nbsp;indicates MIAA Academic Excellence Award * indicates MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679584916602.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsKANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team placed all eight returning student-athletes on the 2022-23 MIAA Academic Honor Roll, announced Thursday (March 23) by the league office. Four Tigers received special honors, including two Scholar-Athlete Award recipients and two MIAA Academic Excellence Award winners. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kate-dilsaver/6841">Kate Dilsaver</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/megan-earney/6842">Megan Earney</a>&nbsp;were two of 16 MIAA Academic Excellence Award winners league-wide. It is the second-such honor for each individual. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/olivia-hollenbeck/6845">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/katie-wagner/6848">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;both received the Scholar-Athlete Award alongside 16 other athletes in the league. It is the third Scholar-Athlete Award for Hollenbeck and the second for Wagner. Also earning a spot on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll was&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/sydney-golladay/6844">Sydney Golladay</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/emma-ruddle/6846">Emma Ruddle</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jessie-sallach/6847">Jessie Sallach</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kia-wilson/6849">Kia Wilson</a>. An MIAA Academic Excellence Award recipient must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 4.00 or better at the certifying member institution. The honoree also must have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. To qualify as a Scholar-Athlete an individual must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.50 at the certifying member institution. They must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. The student-athlete must also earn All-MIAA honors during the current season. To be recognized on the Academic Honor Roll, one must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.00 at the certifying member institution. The individual must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. First-year student-athletes, including transfers and true freshmen, will be recognized at the conclusion of the school year when they meet the two terms of attendance requirement. 2022-23 MIAA Women's Basketball Academic Honor RollNameGPAMajor<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kate-dilsaver/6841">Kate Dilsaver</a>4.00Accounting<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/megan-earney/6842">Megan Earney</a>4.00Marketing<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/sydney-golladay/6844">Sydney Golladay</a>3.48Elementary Education*&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/olivia-hollenbeck/6845">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>3.65General Studies<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/emma-ruddle/6846">Emma Ruddle</a>3.83Nursing<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jessie-sallach/6847">Jessie Sallach</a>3.92HHP (Sport Management/Recreation)*&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/katie-wagner/6848">Katie Wagner</a>3.88Accounting<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kia-wilson/6849">Kia Wilson</a>3.87HHP (Sport &amp; Exercise Therapy)&nbsp; Bold&nbsp;indicates MIAA Academic Excellence Award * indicates MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Eight FHSU women listed on MIAA Academic Honor Roll

HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State University will announce the official name change of its home venue for softball on Saturday. Tiger Stadium will officially become Fleharty Family Field with a ceremony between games of the home doubleheader against Nebraska-Kearney, which begins at noon. The venue has carried the name of Tiger Stadium ever since it was built and opened for play in 1999, which was the first year of softball for Fort Hays State at the NCAA Division II level. Gene and Jo Ann Fleharty, long-time supporters of FHSU, partnered with the university in making several upgrades to the facility in recent years. In the summer of 2022, a new all-artificial turf playing surface was installed, along with bullpen and batting cage areas on each side of the field. New fencing was also installed along both sidelines. In 2019, a new inning-by-inning scoreboard with LED lighting was installed in place of the old board. In 2013, a permanent grandstand was installed behind home plate between the backstop and the press box. Family members Lyle and Diann Fleharty, Gerald and Cindy Fleharty, and Max Fleharty, assisted Gene and Jo Ann with funding for the scoreboard and permanent seating projects. Gene retired as a professor of Biology from Fort Hays State University, where he taught for 37 years. The Fleharty's have two children, Debra and Chris, along with four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679584555666.jpeg" alt="Fleharty Family Field (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)" />
 <figcaption>Fleharty Family Field (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State University will announce the official name change of its home venue for softball on Saturday. Tiger Stadium will officially become Fleharty Family Field with a ceremony between games of the home doubleheader against Nebraska-Kearney, which begins at noon. The venue has carried the name of Tiger Stadium ever since it was built and opened for play in 1999, which was the first year of softball for Fort Hays State at the NCAA Division II level. Gene and Jo Ann Fleharty, long-time supporters of FHSU, partnered with the university in making several upgrades to the facility in recent years. In the summer of 2022, a new all-artificial turf playing surface was installed, along with bullpen and batting cage areas on each side of the field. New fencing was also installed along both sidelines. In 2019, a new inning-by-inning scoreboard with LED lighting was installed in place of the old board. In 2013, a permanent grandstand was installed behind home plate between the backstop and the press box. Family members Lyle and Diann Fleharty, Gerald and Cindy Fleharty, and Max Fleharty, assisted Gene and Jo Ann with funding for the scoreboard and permanent seating projects. Gene retired as a professor of Biology from Fort Hays State University, where he taught for 37 years. The Fleharty's have two children, Debra and Chris, along with four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.&nbsp;&nbsp;