HAYS, Kan. – It was the latest start for a home opener in program history but it was well worth the wait for the Fort Hays State softball team who swept Pittsburg State Friday at Tiger Stadium. The Tigers held the Gorillas to one run in each contest, winning 7-1 and 5-1. The Tigers even their record at 12-12 and improve to 6-2 in the MIAA. The Gorillas fell to 10-18 overall and have lost six straight conference games after a 4-0 start.
Game 1: Fort Hays State 7, Pittsburg State 1
Michaelanne Nelson did not allow an earned run in her third straight confernce start. Nelson scattered six hits and walked just one with 10 strikeouts to move to 6-7 on the season.
Nelson never allowed any Gorilla baserunners past second base prior to the fifth inning. She stranded runners at second and third in the fifth. Pitt State's only run came in the sixth on a pickoff attempt at third by catcher Elise Capra.
Fort Hays State took advantage of a first inning error to load the bases in the first. Grace Philop drew a bases loaded walk to bring in the firwst run. Jessic Espinza added an RBI single.
Sara Breckbill and Philop started a rally for the Tigers in the third. Breckbill singled and then came all the way around to score on a double by Philop that sliced into the left field corner. After Espinoza singled and stole second, Lily Sale drove in two runs with a single to center field.
The Tigers capped their scoring in the fifth, triggered by a Sale double. A dropped fly ball off the bat of Sarah Tiffany put runners at second and third with just one out. Katie Adler singled to bring home Sale and Lren Beggs knocked in Tiffany with a sacrifice fly.
Game 2: Fort Hays State 5, Pittsburg State 1
Fort Hays State did all of their scoring in the second inning. Kristen Reed and Jessica Espinoza led off the inning with walks, then Lily Sale laid down a bunt single to load the bases. Terran Caldwell drove in two runs wtih a single to center field. A walk by Katie Adler loaded the bases for Grace Philp who drove in two more runs with a single. A Sara Breckbill single loaded the bases for a third time in the inning. Loren Beggs drove in the fifth run on a groundout to second base.
Starter Hailey Chapman escaped bases loaded jams in the second and third innings. The Gorillas only run came in the sixth. She scattered eight hits while walking three and striking out four to move to 4-6 on the season.
The Tigers are back at home Saturday for a noon doubleheader with Missouri Southern State. The Lions are 14-10 and 5-3 in the MIAA.
FHSU Athletics contributed to this story