FHSU Athletics
TOPEKA, Kan. – Fort Hays State saw its nine-game win streak snapped on Friday in an MIAA doubleheader at Washburn. The Tigers had the lead in game one, but a key miscue led to an Ichabod comeback win and they went on to sweep the doubleheader by scores of 3-2 and 3-0. FHSU moved to 20-8 overall and 5-3 in the MIAA, while the Ichabods moved to 24-13 and 6-4 in the MIAA.
Washburn 3, Fort Hays State 2
Fort Hays State had a 2-0 lead going to the bottom of the fifth inning in the first contest, but saw Washburn rally with three runs over the next two innings to escape with a 3-2 win on its home field. A key error in the bottom of the fifth extended the inning on what should have been the third out when the Tigers were up 2-1. Washburn followed with an RBI double to knot the score at 2-2. Ichabods pitcher Alexis Tanguma then had the decisive blow in the game, leading off the sixth inning with a solo home run to put WU in front 3-2.
The Tigers took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the first. With the bases loaded, Madison Pierce scored on a wild pitch. However, with the bases loaded again, a sharp lineout ended the Tiger threat early. In the top of the fifth inning, Kaydawn Haag was hit by a pitch and eventually moved up to third with one out before Pierce drove her in with a productive fielder's choice to the right side of the infield. Unfortunately, it was not enough with Washburn's pair of runs in the fifth and then single run in the sixth.
Savanah Egger took a tough-luck loss in the circle, allowing two earned runs on five hits with one strikeout in a complete-game effort. Tanguma picked up the win, allowing one earned run on five hits and no strikeouts. Jenna Sprague picked up a two-out save in the seventh after the Tigers put two runners on against Tanguma.
Washburn 3, Fort Hays State 0
Fort Hays State had its first two batters reach base in the second contest of the day, but left them stranded at second and third. From that point, Washburn pitcher Sadie Walker settled in and held the Tigers scoreless to help the Ichabods sweep the conference doubleheader on their home field.
The Tigers had runners reach scoring position at second base in the fourth, sixth, and seventh innings, but every time it was with just one more out to work with in an inning. Walker finished with five hits and two walks allowed, while striking out three in her complete-game win. Jules Bosco had two of the five Tiger hits in the game.
Morgan Schmidt also threw a complete game for the Tigers, allowing six hits and two walks. She struck out six. A Maddie McGee 2-RBI double in the second and another Alexis Tanguma solo home run in the fourth accounted for all of Washburn's runs.
Fort Hays State looks to bounce back on Saturday in a conference doubleheader at Emporia State. The action is set to start at 12 p.m. at Trusler Sports Complex. The Hornets enter at 24-12 overall and 5-5 in the MIAA.