FHSU Athletics
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - The Fort Hays State baseball team fell in a 2-1 pitcher's duel Friday against Ouachita Baptist on day one of the Henderson State Invitational. FHSU moves to 2-2 on the year, while OBU opens the 2026 campaign 1-0.
Black and Gold Tiger starter and preseason All-American Brandon Chavez worked the first seven innings, striking out a career-high 11 batters and allowing only two hits over that span. Unfortunately for FHSU, one of those two hits was a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth.
Fort Hays State struggled against OBU starter Chase Oberle, with FHSU sending just three to the plate in four of the first five innings. Fort Hays State had two men aboard with one out in the third, but Oberle escaped the jam.
FHSU tied the game in the top of the sixth when Tyson Jimenez tripled into the right field corner. The junior came in to score two batters later when Erick Ordonez lifted a sacrifice fly to right.
The visitors had a great chance to take the lead off the Ouachita Baptist bullpen in the top of the seventh when Garretson Cook worked a two-out walk. Justin Lipka followed with a single before Jimenez also walked, loading the bases for the top of the order. But OBU reliever Braden Tucker escaped the jam with an infield pop up.
After Chavez worked around a two-out walk in the home half of the seventh, OBU struck again with another solo home run off the FHSU bullpen in the bottom of the eighth.
Cook worked another walk in the ninth to put the tying run on base, but OBU locked down the win with a strikeout and flyout.
Cook reached base three times, including two walks and a single. Lipka and Jimenez recorded the only other base knocks for the visiting Tigers.
FHSU's weekend in Arkadelphia will continue on Saturday (Feb. 7) when it takes on Harding at 10 a.m. and Henderson State at 5 p.m.