⚾ Riverhawks rally to beat Tigers

FHSU Athletics

HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State baseball team rallied from a 3-0 deficit to take the lead, but Northeastern State finished on top on Saturday, 7-4.

Mason Holton and Jonathan Smithey were locked in a pitcher's duel over the first three innings before the RiverHawks struck first with a solo home run in the fourth. NSU added two more runs in the fifth before the Tigers got things rolling in the home half of the inning.

Dylan Hupfer opened the run with a one-out single to center. Jenner Kehe then grounded one to short for a routine fielder's choice, but the shortstop's throw sailed into center field, allowing Hupfer to advance to third. Tico Olivas followed with an RBI single through the left side, helping the Tigers close within 3-1.

Brady Kreutzer kept things rolling with a single to center before Grant Schmidt crushed an opposite-field home run to give the Tigers a 4-3 lead. The senior swung at the first pitch for his ninth home run of the year.

Northeastern State answered right back with three runs on four hits in the sixth before tacking on an insurance run in the seventh. The Tigers left two on in the sixth and one on in the seventh before the NSU bullpen retired the side in order in the eighth and ninth.

Holton tossed 4.2 solid innings in his first start of the year, picking up eight strikeouts on the day. The freshman allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks. Sammy Sanchez (2-4) took the loss after allowing three runs on four hits over 1.1 innings of relief. Jacob Douglas came on to toss the final three innings, giving up one run on two hits while striking out a pair.

Olivas had two of FHSU's eight hits while scoring one run and driving in another. Schmidt drove in three runs and scored on the home run.

The Tigers and RiverHawks will wrap up the series on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. at Larks Park.