FHSU Athletics
CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped Sunday's series finale at Rogers State, losing 11-4. The Tigers (12-6, 2-4 MIAA) jumped out to a quick lead, but the Hillcats (13-4, 5-1 MIAA) answered right back in the bottom of the first before taking the lead for good in the second.
Brady Kreutzer led things off with a triple to the warning track in left field before coming in to score the first run of the game on an RBI groundout from Elliott Herrmann. The Hillcats responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning on two hits and three free bases.
Fort Hays State tied things up in the next half inning when Zane Knox was hit by a pitch to lead things off. Singles from Justin Lipka and Sebastian Burgos loaded the bases before Cesas Saavedra drew a two-out walk to tie the score at two. The Hillcats again scored two runs in the bottom of the second, retaking the lead, 4-2.
Rogers State pushed the lead to 8-2 in the bottom of the third after scoring four runs on two singles and two free bases. Trailing by six, the Tigers left a pair on base in the fourth before plating a pair in the top of the fifth. Trey DeGarmo led off with a bunt single before Herrmann beat out an infield single to short. Jose Cintron followed by drawing a walk, loading the bases with no outs. Shaun Gomez plated a run two batters later with a single before Kyle Morrell lifted a sacrifice fly to left, helping FHSU close within 8-4.
The Tiger pitchers settled in after the third inning, recording four-straight scoreless innings before the Hillcats tacked on three more in the bottom of the eighth. The Tiger bats were unable to draw any closer, however, going down in order in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings before leaving a runner on in the ninth.
Burgos finished the day 2-for-4, while six other Tigers recorded one base hit on the day. Rafael Espinoza (2-1) got the start and went 2.0 innings, allowing four runs on four hits. Trevor Baugh struck out four batters in 5.0 innings of relief, surrendering two runs on four hits and one walk.
UP NEXT
Fort Hays State will return home for to play five home games next week beginning Wednesday with a doubleheader against Upper Iowa beginning at 1 p.m.