FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State Softball moved to 22-10 overall and 7-5 in the MIAA on Sunday by gaining a split with Northeastern State in conference play. The Tigers saw the RiverHawks rally for three runs in the seventh inning of game one to win 4-2, but bounced back for a 5-1 win in game two to get the split. Northeastern State moved to 13-27 overall and 6-12 in the MIAA with the results.
Game 1: Northeastern State 4, Fort Hays State 2
Both teams scored in the fist inning of the first contest, but FHSU took a 2-1 lead with a run in the bottom of the fourth. However, some good fortune went the RiverHawks way in the seventh to create a three-run rally to get past the Tigers 4-2.
The RiverHawks scored their first run on a sacrifice fly in the first after a single and stolen base by leadoff hitter and pitcher Korryn Tindel set the table for Maddie Messenger to notch an RBI. Madison Pierce responded with a stolen base in the bottom of the first and she came into score with two outs on an RBI single by Abbey Duarte.
In the bottom of the fourth, a Lexi Mohr double and Paige Thexton single set up a run-scoring opportunity for the Tigers. A passed ball by the catcher allowed Mohr to score, putting the Tigers up 2-1.
Savannah Egger had worked her way out of trouble in the third inning and was cruising along until a pair of well-placed hits by the RiverHawks to start the seventh. A Charlea Cochran double that just got up high enough to tip off the glove of a stretching third-baseman Lexi Mohr dribbled down the left field line. Drew Hawkins followed with a bunt single that could have potentially just been a sacrifice and out, but an aggressive diving attempt at the ball allowed everyone to be safe. Hawkins took second base on a steal and then came in to score with Cochran on a 2-RBI single Macie Sawney. More good fortune happened later when a sharp comebacker to Egger redirected off her glove into right field for another hit and an RBI for Lauryn Heinle.
The Tigers could not get a rally going in the seventh as Tindel set the side down in order. FHSU outhit NSU 10-8 in the game, but could not cash in on enough of its traffic on the bases. Egger with three strikeouts moved to 10-6 on the season with the loss. Tindel with one strikeout moved to 2-4 on the year.
Game 2: Fort Hays State 5, Northeastern State 1
Fort Hays State never trailed in their game-two win, scoring one in the first and one in the third to take a 2-0 lead. NSU scored its only run in the fourth, but FHSU responded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth and added one more in the fifth to win 5-1.
A Jules Bosco double and Lilly Ramirez-Johnson single to open the first set the table for Abbey Duerte, who picked up a sacrifice fly RBI to score Bosco. In the third Lilly Mohr had an RBI double following singles to open the inning by Ramirez-Johnson and Maddison Pierce.
Drew Hawkins drove in the only run for NSU on a double in the fourth. However, Kaydawn Haag set up a run-scoring opportunity by hitting a flare single that was juggled by the left fielder, allowing her to take an extra base. Bosco drove her in with an RBI single. Later, Pierce had an RBI double to score Bosco. Lilly Mohr put the exclamation point on the run scoring for FHSU in the fifth with her sixth home run of the season to dead center field.
Morgan Schmidt shook off a tough outing in Emporia last weekend to throw a complete game with one run allowed on eight hits. She struck out five, moving to 10-4 on the season. Gracie Turner took the loss for NSU, throwing the first 3 2/3 innings. She allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits with two strikeouts. Madison Heinle relieved for the final 2 1/3 innings and allowed a run with a strikeout.
UP NEXT
Fort Hays State plays host to No. 11 ranked Rogers State on Monday (Apr. 7) at noon. The Hillcats split a pair of games up at Nebraska-Kearney on Sunday and enter the doubleheader at 28-11 overall and 10-8 in the MIAA.