FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State baseball team extended its winning streak to seven with a walk-off win over Missouri Western on Sunday, winning 3-2 for the second day in a row. The Tigers (11-4, 6-0) swept their second-straight conference series in the process, doing so for the first time since 2016.
Paul Panduro got the start for the Tigers and gave FHSU seven solid innings, scattering three hits over those frames while allowing just one unearned run to score.
The Tigers struck first in the bottom of the second when Trey DeGarmo led off with a double to center. Luis Ayala followed and reached on an error before DeGarmo came in to score on an RBI groundout from Cooper Howell. Zane Knox kept things rolling with an RBI single up the middle, putting the home team in front 2-0.
Fort Hays State had chances to add to its lead, collecting 11 hits in the game and managing baserunners in each inning, but the Griffon staff was able to get out of multiple jams to keep things close.
The Griffons eventually tied the game with a pair of unearned runs, one in the sixth and one in the top of the ninth. Fort Hays State answered right back, scoring in the bottom of the ninth after Isaiah Ural led off with a double down the right-field line. A pair of intentional walks later loaded the bases with one out for Ayala. The catcher sent a grounder to the third baseman who threw home for the force out to keep things tied. The Griffon catcher then tried to throw Ayala out at first, but the throw got away from the first baseman and allowed Elliott Herrmann to score from second base to end the game.
Kaleb Carpenter came on with one man on in the eighth inning to record three consecutive outs, including a pickoff to wipe out the baserunner. Brandon Chavez (2-0) earned the win after giving up one unearned run on one walk in the ninth inning while striking out one batter.
Cesar Saavedra and Zane Knox each had three hits in the game, while Ural added a pair of base knocks.
UP NEXT
The Tigers will continue a nine-game homestand next weekend (March 7-9) when they host No. 13 Missouri Southern, with first pitch again set for 3 p.m. on Friday, 2 p.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday.