FHSU Athletics
EMPORIA, Kan. – Fort Hays State homered twice in the rubber match against Emporia State, but fell victim to three big innings and fell 15-4 to the Hornets. The Tigers moved to 8-12 overall and 1-5 in MIAA play, while the Hornets moved to 7-12 overall and 3-3 in conference action.
Isaiah Ural put the Tigers on the board in the opening frame with a solo homer to left center, but the Hornets responded with a seven-run bottom of the first. FHSU narrowed the ESU lead in the next frame when Emile Boies and Ridge Stephens each drew a walk before Colter Maldonado blasted a three-run bomb over the left field wall.
Andrew Hansen held the Hornets scoreless into the fifth inning, but a two-run homer and a single plated four runs in the frame for ESU. Emporia State led 11-4 going into the bottom of the seventh. In what would become the final inning, the Hornets scored four more runs on a single and a walk off three-run home run to enact the 10-run rule after seven.
Hansen allowed four runs on four hits through 4.1 innings on the mound, while Jake Campbell recorded three strikeouts in 1.1 frames. Hansen also struck out five batters in his appearance.
Ural finished 2-for-3 at the plate for the Tigers. Boies, Stephens, and Ed Scott each drew a walk.
The Tigers will be back in action next weekend when they host Rogers State for a three-game conference series (March 10-12) at Larks Park.