HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State had the potential tying run thrown out at the plate and drop the opening game of their three-game series with Rogers State 7-6 Friday afternoon at Larks Park.
Down two runs with o outs in the ninth,Drake Angeron singled to left scoring pinch runner Jaxson Webb from third but Ed Scott was called out at the plate trying to score from second, to end the game.
The Tigers are now 2-12 on the year and 2-8 in MIAA play, while the Hillcats move to 8-6 overall and 5-5 in conference action.
FHSU led for much of the contest, scoring twice in the bottom of the first. Kade Wallace led off the inning with a single then advanced to third on a Grant Schmidt's double into the left field corner. Corbin Truslow followed with a double that dropped between the second baseman and right fielder, driving in Wallace. Schmidt later scored on Ed Scott's sacrifice fly.
The two runs came after starting pitcher Jake Campbell worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the top of the first.
Rogers State scored a run with two outs in the second but the Tigers answered with a run in the bottom of the inning when Angeron scored on a Conner Kessler sacrifice fly.
The HIllcats scored two runs in the fourth to tie the game at 3-3 but again the Tigers answered after Schmidt and Truslow worked back-to-back walks. After advancing to third on a fielder's choice, Schmidt scampered home on a sharp liner back up the middle from Jacob Bouzide. Tyler Olson rached on an error allowing Ed Scott to score from third.
The Hillcats took their first lead of the game off the Tiger bullpen, scoring four runs on three hits and one error in the top of the sixth to take a 7-5 lead.
The Tigers had chances to draw closer in the following innings, stranding four in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.
Jacob Ensz silenced the Hillcat bats, allowing just one baserunner after the sixth inning.
Starter Jake Campbell allowed three runs on 11 hits and two walks over 5.0 innings of work and did not figure in the decision. The redshirt-freshman struck out five batters. Brayden Smith (0-1) gave up three runs (two earned) on two hits with one walk over 1/3 innings of relief and suffered the loss. Ensz tossed the final 3 2/3 innings, giving up one unearned run on two hits and zero walks while striking out three.
The Tigers and Hillcats will wrap up the series with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at noon at Larks Park.
FHSU Athletics contributed to this story