FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. - No. 21 Fort Hays State dropped a tough one to Northwest Missouri State, 13-2, Saturday afternoon at Larks Park. The Tigers fell to 31-12 and 25-7 in MIAA play while the Bearcats improved to 22-23 and 16-16 in the conference.
Northwest Missouri struck first in the second inning with an RBI single before Fort Hays evened the score in the bottom half, thanks to a double from Elliott Herrmann and an RBI single from Cooper Howell. However, Northwest responded immediately, regaining the lead in the third on an RBI single from Sam Wornson.
The Bearcats pulled away with two more runs in the fourth, including a double from Jacob Selock and a single by Ryan Williams, forcing an early exit for Tiger starter Paul Panduro. Northwest then broke the game open with a five-run sixth inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Kaehukai Young and an RBI double by Ashton Neuman.
The Tigers' bullpen including Kaleb Carpenter, Mike Acierno, and Landyn Sterling, tried to stem the tide but couldn't fully contain the Bearcats, who added four more runs in the ninth. Sam Wornson capped off the scoring with a three-run homer.
Offensively, Fort Hays managed just five hits, with Derek Woolwine providing a bright spot by hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning.
Starter Jaren Guck threw a complete game for Northwest Missouri, holding the Tigers to two runs while striking out seven. Paul Panduro took the loss, giving up four runs over three innings, while Carpenter, Acierno, and Sterling finished the game for FHSU.
The Tigers and Bearcats will square off in the rubber match tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. at Larks Park. Fort Hays State will also honor its seniors prior to first pitch in what will be the team's final home game of the season.