JOPLIN, Mo. - Fort Hays State managed only one run on Saturday, which resulted in a pair of losses to Missouri Southern. The Lions took game one 8-0 by run rule in six innings, then scored twice in the sixth inning of game two to break a tie late and won 3-1. Missouri Southern moved to 20-15 overall and 8-4 in the MIAA, while FHSU is now 16-19-1 overall and 2-6 in the MIAA.
Game 1: Missouri Southern 8, Fort Hays State 0
The Lions took control of game one early with four runs in the first. They loaded the bases and then went on to get a pair of 2-RBI singles back-to-back for the early cushion. The Tigers had run-scoring opportunities in the first, second, and third innings, but could not cash anything in. The Lions went on to add two runs in the fourth, one in the fifth, and one in the sixth to force the run rule.
Savanah Egger had a tough time finding outs in the first inning and lasted just a third of an inning with four hits and a walk allowed. She allowed the first four runs to the Lions. Morgan Schmidt came in an stopped the Lions from any further damage in the first inning and pitched the remaining 4.2 innings. Two of the four runs she allowed were unearned. She struck out one. Kara Amos pitched a complete game for the Lions, allowing five hits and three walks. She struck out four.
The Tigers' five hits were scattered over five different players, including Jessica Espinoza, Loren Beggs, Sara Breckbill, Regan Curry, and Kiana Blake.
Game 2: Missouri Southern 3, Fort Hays State 1
Missouri Southern took an early lead once again in the second contest, this time with one run in the first on a two-out RBI single. However, Bailey Carlson settled in from that point to hold the Lions scoreless for the next four innings.
The Tigers finally broke through with a run in the third, but they could have got more with the bases loaded and no outs. A strikeout gave the Lions one out, then Sara Breckbill tied the game with a sacrifice fly to center field. The Lions picked up the third out after that and kept the game tied 1-1.
The Lions started their sixth-inning rally by leading the inning off with a walk. After a stolen base, a double broke the tie and then a dropped fly ball on what would have been the third out of the inning allowed another run to score. The Tigers did not have a late rally in them for a second straight day as they fell 3-1.
Bailey Lacy pitched a complete game for the Lions with four hits and three walks. She struck out nine. Carlson also threw a complete game for the Tigers, allowing five hits and two walks. The last of her three runs allowed was unearned.
The Tigers will be at home next weekend to host Washburn and Emporia State in MIAA play. The Tigers take on Washburn on Friday at Tiger Stadium starting at 2 pm.