Hays Post
HAYS, Kan. - No. 24 Fort Hays State baseball used the home run ball to deliver a 15-5 run-rule victory over Emporia State Tuesday at Larks Park. The Tigers scored 12 of their 15 runs off of four home runs, which included a pair of two-run blasts by Derek Woolwine and grand slams from Zane Knox and Tony Moore..
It's the fourth time this season the Tigers (20-6, 15-2 MIAA) have hit four home runs in a game and it's the fastest the program has reached 20 wins since 2006 when they did it in their first 25 games.
The Tigers jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. After Cesar Saavedra was hit by a pitch to start the game, Woolwine launched a two-run blast to left field, putting Fort Hays State on top 2-0. Two innings later Trey DeGarmo walked then promptly stole second before Woolwine delivered his second two-run homer to center to extend the lead to 4-0.
Emporia State answered with a four-run fourth. TJ Racherbaumer lead off the inning with a triple then Noah Steele homered to center. Back-to-back homers from Cooper Schwindt and Jovanni Toledo tied the game 4-4.
FHSU answered with three in the bottom of the inning. Saavedra was hit by a pitch for the second time, Tony Moore followed with a walk. DeGarmo came through with an RBI single to put the Tigers back in front. Brady Kreutzer ripped a clutch two-run triple, bringing home which scored Moore and DeGarmo to extend the Tigers' advantage to 7-4.
After the Hornets scratched across an unearned run in the fifth to cut the deficit to 7-5, the Tigers' erupted in the sixth. Zane Knox launched a grand slam to right field, extending the lead to 11-5. The Tigers put the game away in the seventh. Luis Ayala drew a leadoff walk, Copper Howell followed with a bunt single then a Saavedra walk set the stage for Tony Moore. The Hoisington freshman delivered a grand slam to right-center to end the game.
Mike Acierno made the start for the Tigers and pitched three scoreless innings before giving up the four runs in the fourth. Brett Jacobs (2-0) pitched the final 3 2/3 innings and allowed one unearned run on two hits and picked up the win.
UP NEXT
The first place Tigers head to Warrensburg for a key MIAA series with No. 3 Central Missouri beginning Friday at Crane Stadium.