HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State baseball team outhit Regis Friday afternoon, 14-13, but four home runs and a late rally helped the Rangers steal the first of a four-game set at Larks Park (Feb. 18).
Regis jumped in front with a two-out solo shot in the top of the first before starter Hunter Parker retired the next six batters in order. The Rangers added three runs on two more long balls in the third inning before the Tiger offense struck back.
After collecting single hits in the first two innings, FHSU got things rolling in the third after a one-out double to center from Griffin Brunson. Jenner Kehe followed with a line-drive single right back up the middle, plating Brunson and helping the Tigers close within 4-1.
Parker settled in to face the minimum over the next three innings, retiring eight-straight batters after Mikey Felton and Kehe connected to catch a runner stealing in the top of the fourth.
The Tiger offense kept things rolling, pushing across two runs in the fourth before going on top with three more in the fifth. Grant Schmidt led off the home half of the fourth with a double down the left field line before Felton singled to right center. Mason Holton followed with a double off the wall in center, plating one and closing the gap to 4-2. Felton then came in to score following an RBI groundout from Kade Wallace.
Fort Hays State tied things up in the fifth when Kehe led off with another single back up the middle. Cade Flaherty followed with a pinch-hit double to right center, driving in Kehe to level the score at 4-4. But the Tigers weren't done, with Scott following with a towering shot into the left-field corner that turned into an RBI triple. The center fielder came in to score two batters later on a sac fly from Jaxson Webb, giving the Tigers a 6-4 lead.
Regis regained the lead with a five-spot in the seventh inning thanks to six hits and two Tiger errors. The Rangers added three more runs in the final two innings, including two unearned runs after two more Tiger miscues.
The Tigers began to claw back in the ninth, but the tying run was left in the on-deck circle. Scott beat out an infield single before Schmidt hammered a double to center, driving in one run. Webb was hit by a pitch before pinch hitter Joey Olson beat out a grounder deep in the hole at first to load the bases. Traelon Yarbrough drove in a run with a fielder's choice before Regis got out of the jam with another ground ball.
Parker (0-2) took the loss after giving up nine runs on nine hits and striking out four over 6.1 innings. Conner Kessler tossed the final 2.2 frames, giving up three runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out one. The Tigers did not walk a batter all afternoon.
Scott and Felton both collected three hits, with Kehe and Schmidt adding two each.
The Tigers and Rangers will continue the series on Saturday (Feb. 19) with a doubleheader beginning at noon.