HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State Softball was in position to potentially split its doubleheader with No. 4 ranked Central Oklahoma, up 3-1 going into the 5th inning of game two. However, the Broncho offense that was on full display in game one came alive with a big rally and powered past the Tigers for a sweep. UCO won by scores of 19-2 and 8-3, improving to 41-7 overall on the season and 20-2 in the MIAA. FHSU is now 23-26-1 overall, 9-13 in the MIAA.
Game 1: Central Oklahoma 19, Fort Hays State 2 (5 inn. – run rule)
A defensive error by the Tigers to open the first game led to four unearned runs for the Bronchos in the first inning. From that point on, the Broncho offense kept adding on by finishing with five home runs on their way to a season-high 19 runs. Korbyn Skipworth had two of those home runs, tying Tarin Dubler for a team-best four RBIs in the game.
The Tigers had a hard time finding runs against UCO starter Kylee Lynch, who moved to 21-1 on the season in just three innings of work. She allowed three hits. The Tigers avoided the shutout in the fifth when senior Elise Capra smacked a double down the third base line to Jessica Espinoza and Betsy Parmley. That came off Isie Cox, who pitched the final two innings for the Bronchos.
Four errors by the Tigers produced seven unearned runs for the Bronchos. Savanah Egger pitched the first 3.0 innings and allowed five earned runs with two strikeouts. Morgan Schmidt pitched 2.0 innings and surrendered seven earned runs with two strikeouts.
Game 2: Central Oklahoma 8, Fort Hays State 3
Using that little bit of offensive momentum from the last inning of the first contest, the Tiger offense immediately put up two runs against the Bronchos in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Jessica Espinoza opened the Tiger half of the first with a double, then Lindsey Kelly singled her home after a wild pitch put Espinoza at third. Later in the inning, Sarah Tiffany had an RBI single to score Kelly.
Bailey Carlson was up for the challenge in the pitching circle and kept the Bronchos off balance over the first four innings. She allowed just one run in the third when UCO stole second with two outs and then got an RBI single to cut the Tiger lead in half. However, the Tigers responded in the fourth when Loren Beggs nearly hit the ball of the park but had to settle for a double, scoring Espinoza who had a single earlier in the inning.
Carlson ran into a bit of tough luck in the fifth when the Bronchos opened the inning with three straight singles to load the bases. The third of the bundle was a bloop into center field that Carlson made a good pitch on. Brighton Gilbert cut the lead back to one with an RBI single, and then by that point the wind shifted to blowing out to dead center. Jacee Minter did not get all of the ball she hit, but the strong wind carried the ball to the right center fence and the Bronchos took a 4-3 lead. Moments later, Corbyn Skipworth had another power stroke to spoil any chance of the Tigers keeping the game close as she hit her third homer of the day, a grand slam to dead center field making it 8-3 in favor of UCO.
The Tigers had two reach base in the sixth inning, but could not do any damage against Kylee Lynch, who was on in relief for Bailey McKittrick since the third inning. Lynch went on to collect her 22nd win of the season. Carlson moved to 4-6 on the season in her complete-game effort. She kept the Bronchos scoreless in five of the seven frames and struck out three.
The Tigers will go on the road next week to Rogers State and Northeastern State to close out the regular season. They are still mathematically alive for the MIAA Tournament, but will need results elsewhere in the conference to break their favor over the next few days to remain alive. This was the final home doubleheader of the season for the Tigers as seniors Sara Breckbill, Elise Capra, Jessica Espinoza, and Betsy Parmley were recognized between games.
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