TOPEKA, Kan. – Fort Hays State Softball split its first two games of the Washburn Invitational on Friday. The Tigers had a lead in game one, but fell 3-2 in eight innings as Rockhurst rallied late to force extra innings. They bounced back for a 3-0 win over Missouri-St. Louis in their second contest of the day. FHSU moved to 11-7 overall.
Rockhurst 3, Fort Hays State 2 (8 inn.)
Fort Hays State jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in its first game of the day, only to see Rockhurst rally for single runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings for an extra-inning comeback. Both teams produced six hits in the contest.
The Tigers opened the scoring in the third inning by stringing together a walk and a pair of singles. Megan Feiner reached on a walk to open the inning and stole a base with two outs. Katie Adler had an infield single before Kristen Reed notched her first of two RBIs in the game with a single up the middle.
Following a leadoff double by Lily Sale in the fifth inning, Reed produced another clutch 2-out RBI single to make the Tiger advantage 2-0.
Hailey Chapman kept the Hawks scoreless through the first five innings of the game, but could not hold off a late charge. In the sixth inning, the Hawks came up with a single and then double with two outs to get their first run of the game. Maya Gallagher then led off the seventh with a solo home run, which forced extra innings.
The game went to the international tiebreaker format in the eighth. FHSU had a golden opportunity to score after a bunt single immediately put runners at first and third. However, a strikeout, walk to load the bases, another strikeout, and a lineout ended a bases loaded threat.
Rockhurst immediately ended the game in the eighth with a double that plated the runner from second.
Chapman (5-5) took the loss, allowing two walks with six hits, while striking out six. Olivia Prather threw a complete game for Rockhurst, allowing six hits and three walks with eight strikeouts, moving to 3-0 on the season.
Fort Hays State 3, Missouri-St. Louis 0
Michaelanne Nelson gave the Tigers a big effort in the pitching circle against Missouri-St. Louis. She had a perfect game going through 5.1 innings of play before surrendering a hit. She went on to record a complete-game one-hitter with just one walk allowed. Nelson (5-2) struck out eight batters in her winning effort, moving to 5-2 on the season.
Missouri-St. Louis pitchers struggled mightily with command in the fourth inning, issuing five walks to the Tigers. The final two forced in runs as Lexi Kagan and Lily Sale picked up RBIs.
The Tigers picked up an insurance run in the fifth when Katie Adler led off with a single. With two outs, Loren Beggs laced an RBI double to left center field that plated Adler.
Fort Hays State drew nine walks in the game, while picking up three hits. Hannah Gates had the other hit outside of the knocks by Adler and Beggs in the fifth.
FHSU returns to action on Saturday to face Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State. The Tigers play Sioux Falls at Hummer Sports Park at 9 am, then head to the Washburn Softball Complex to face Southwest Minnesota at 2:30 pm.
FHSU Sports Information