FHSU Athletics
HAYS., Kan. - No. 22 Fort Hays State split Sunday's doubleheader with UC-Colorado Springs at Larks Park, taking the first game behind a masterclass from ace Ty Riley before dropping the finale in the second game. Riley struck out a career-high 16 in a complete-game win to open the day, while Trey DeGarmo's early two-run homer provided the spark in the second game.
Game 1: Fort Hays State 6, UC-Colorado Spring 3
Fort Hays State used a dominant pitching performance from ace Ty Riley and a clutch four-run sixth inning to defeat UC-Colorado Springs 6-3 in the opening game of Sunday's doubleheader at Larks Park.
Riley (7-1) was electric on the mound, striking out a career-high 16 batters while allowing just three runs on six hits across a complete seven-inning effort. His strikeout count of 79 is already more than last season and is tied for sixth most in a season by any Tiger.
After three scoreless frames, the Tigers broke through in the bottom of the fourth. Tony Moore led off with a single and later scored on a Brady Kreutzer fielder's choice. Elliott Herrmann added an RBI single to make it 2-0, scoring Trey DeGarmo from third.
UC-Colorado Springs briefly surged ahead in the top of the fifth. Bryce Peterson drove in a run with a single before Kit Wigington launched a two-run homer to put the Mountain Lions up 3-2.
Fort Hays State wasted little time responding. In the bottom of the sixth, the Tigers took advantage of defensive miscues and timely hitting. Moore opened the frame with a single before DeGarmo reached on a bunt and a throwing error by the pitcher, putting two runners in scoring position. A wild pitch from reliever Joe Plise allowed Moore to race home and tie the game at 3-3, while DeGarmo and Woolwine, who had walked, moved up a base.
Herrmann was intentionally walked to load the bases. Luis Ayala then hit a grounder that resulted in a fielding error by the shortstop, allowing DeGarmo to score and give the Tigers a 4-3 lead. Copper Howell followed with another grounder, and this time a throwing error by the third baseman let another run score to make it 5-3. Isaiah Ural, pllaying for the first time in over a month dud to a hand injury, capped the rally with a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing home Herrmann for the final run of the inning and extending the Tigers' lead to 6-3.
Moore led the Tiger offense, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Ayala finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs, while Herrmann walked and singled to drive in a run.
Game 2: Fort Hays State 2, UC-Colorado Spring 8
Fort Hays State was unable to complete the two game sweep in the doubleheader, as visiting UC-Colorado Springs turned the tables in Game 2 with an 8-2 victory at Larks Park.
After a strong showing in the opener, the Tigers couldn't keep the momentum going, as the Mountain Lions plated eight unanswered runs after falling behind 2-0 in the first inning.
Trey DeGarmo continued his big day for the Tigers with a two-run homer in the first, his 11th of the season, giving FHSU an early edge. However, UCCS responded with four runs in the third inning and added three more in the fifth to break things open.
Ryder Mancuso earned the win for UCCS, tossing six innings of two-run ball with four strikeouts. Fort Hays starter Paul Panduro was tagged with the loss, giving up four runs in 2.2 innings.
Isaiah Ural and Cesar Saasvedra each tallied hits for the Tigers, who managed six hits. DeGarmo's home run accounted for both Tiger runs in the loss.
UP NEXT
The Tigers return to conference action Wednesday against Emporia State. Fist pitch is set to be at 4:00 pm in Emporia, Kan.