FHSU Athletics
EDMOND, Okla. – Fort Hays State dropped a pair of games at No. 5 ranked Central Oklahoma on Saturday. Slip ups defensively by the Tigers late in both games and a lack of runs ultimately kept the Tigers from a chance of upsetting the Bronchos. UCO moved to 39-6 overall and 19-3 in the MIAA, winning by scores of 5-1 and 4-1. FHSU is now 29-20 overall, 11-11 in the MIAA.
Game 1: Central Oklahoma 5, Fort Hays State 1
Central Oklahoma used a two-run home run in the third inning and then a Tiger error followed by three straight singles for three runs in the fifth to take the first contest of the day. Shayla Harper broke a scoreless tie between the Tigers and Bronchos with the two-out homer in the third. UCO's rally in the fifth was all on two outs as well after a dropped foul ball that should have been the end of the inning.
The Tigers picked up their only run in the sixth inning when Loren Beggs led off with a double and Madison Pierce followed with a single. Carly Stuke then hit a ball up the middle that ricocheted off the pitcher perfectly to the shortstop, who stepped on second and threw Stuke out at first on a double play that killed a potential big inning for the Tigers. Beggs scored on the double play. The Tigers had six hits in the game, led by Peyton Shepard with two.
Morgan Schmidt went 4.2 innings in her start and struck out four. She allowed seven hits and walked five and now has a record of 4-3 on the season. Only two of her runs allowed were earned. Emma Montoya threw the final 1.1 innings and recorded a strikeout. Jordyn Pipkin, now 17-3 overall, threw a complete game for UCO. She scattered the six Tiger hits, while recording two strikeouts with a walk.
Game 2: Central Oklahoma 4, Fort Hays State 1
The Tigers struggled to score runs once again in the second contest of the afternoon. They plated their only run in the first inning and their would-be second run to tie the game in the fourth was waved off the board by a game-altering umpire decision. After plating two in the third to take the lead, UCO added runs on Tiger mistakes in the fifth and sixth innings.
The Tigers opened the game with four singles in the first inning. Peyton Shepard led off with an infield single, but then was called out for leaving first early on a successful stolen base attempt. With two outs, the Tigers fought back into a run-scoring opportunity on three straight singles by Loren Beggs, Madison Pierce, and Carly Stuke. Regan Curry then drew a bases loaded walk to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, the Tigers did not add on any more runs as a ground out ended a potential big inning.
Shayleigh Odom of UCO tied the game by leading off the third with a solo home run. The Bronchos jumped into the lead moments later when Rylee Lemos doubled and then came in to score on an RBI single by Emily Deramus.
The Tigers worked their way into good position to pull even with the Bronchos in the top of the fourth. Lexi Mohr doubled down the left field line and Adysen Burghart singled to put runners at first and third with just one out. Then the crucial call that kept the Tigers from tying the game was made with Shepard at the plate. She was ruled out of the box when contacting the ball she grounded to the right side of the infield. UCO dropped the potential force out throw at second base, while pinch runner Reese Curry crossed the plate on the delayed dead ball situation. So instead of a 2-2 game with runners at second and first with one out, the call coupled with the UCO coach's decision made two outs and the runners had to return to first and third. A ground out then ended the inning.
The Bronchos got add-on runs in the fifth and sixth. In the fifth, a wild pitch with two outs allowed a run to cross the plate. In the sixth, an error with two outs allowed another run to come in to score.
Bailey Carlson took a tough loss, despite her complete-game effort. She scattered seven hits, walked one, and struck out one. Terin Ritz of UCO allowed eight hits and walked four, while striking out just two. She was able to strand 11 Tigers on base throughout the game to escape with victory.
Fort Hays State returns home for two big doubleheaders against Rogers State and Northeastern State next weekend in Hays (Apr. 28-29). The games wrap up the regular season as the Tigers will be battling for a spot in the eight-team MIAA Tournament.