FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State baseball team came up one run short in Sunday's series finale against Rogers State, falling 8-7. The Tigers (9-14, 2-7 MIAA) trailed by four runs entering the seventh inning and scored three runs to close within one, but the back end of the Hillcat (15-6, 4-5 MIAA) bullpen did just enough to seal the win.
Tiger starter Cade Flaherty worked around a walk in the first inning before retiring the side in order in the second, striking out three batters over the first two frames. Rogers State put two men on early in the third after a walk and hit-by-pitch before scoring three runs on two hits and a sacrifice fly.
After collecting just one hit over the first two innings, the Tigers answered back in the bottom of the inning thanks to back-to-back walks to Tico Olivas and Ed Scott. The pair pulled off a double steal before DeGarmo drove in the first FHSU run with a sacrifice fly. Isaiah Ural followed with a single through the right side, helping the Tigers close within 3-2.
Another leadoff walk and four more hits helped the Hillcats score two more runs in the fourth and end Flaherty's day. Jenner Kehe came on to get out of the inning, inducing a double play before getting out of the inning three batters later.
Fort Hays State responded with two runs of its own in the home half when Scott delivered a two-out, two-RBI single up the middle.
The Tigers walked the bases loaded in both the fifth and sixth innings, but were able to escape each inning unscathed. Justin Nace struck out three in the fifth before a baserunning blunder ended in a 2-6-2-5-4 caught stealing double play to wrap up the top of the sixth. FHSU had chances to tie or take the lead in both frames, but left a pair on in the fifth and left the bases loaded in the sixth.
Rogers State added to its lead in the seventh when the nine-hole hitter clubbed a three-run home run soaring over the fence in left, giving the visitors an 8-4 advantage.
As it had all day, the home team answered right back with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Two infield throwing errors got the inning going before Olivas delivered a two-out, two-run single into center. The speedy left fielder tried to score from first on a double off the bat of Scott in the next at bat, but was called out at the plate by the umpire to end the inning with the Tigers down 8-6.
Spencer Maley came on to toss two hitless innings down the stretch, walking just one batter while striking out a pair.
DeGarmo led off the eighth with a single through the left side before Ural laid down a perfectly-placed bunt single down the third-base line. The pair moved up on a sacrifice bunt and then advanced another 90 feet on a wild pitch, with DeGarmo scampering home to help the Tigers close within 8-7. With the tying run 90 feet away, the Hillcat bullpen struck out two batters to escape the inning with the lead. RSU struck out two more in the bottom of the ninth, including the final out with the tying run on first base.
Flaherty (1-2) took the loss after hurling 3.0 innings and giving up five runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out four batters. Scott totaled three hits and drove in two runs from the top spot in the order, while Olivas was 1-for-3 with two RBI and two walks from the ninth spot in the lineup.
The Tigers will wrap up their homestand Tuesday (March 14) when they host Newman in a midweek conference battle beginning at 3 p.m. at Larks Park.