PITTSBURG, Kan. - Fort Hays State fell in the series finale at Pittsburg State on Sunday by a score of 8-5. The Tigers held a lead late in the contest, but an eighth-inning rally gave the Gorillas the series sweep.
After a scoreless first inning, the Tigers drew first blood with a two-run home run from Conner Kessler. The Gorillas immediately knotted the game back up in the home half of the second with a pair of runs on a hit and a Tiger error. Jake Campbell, starting pitcher for the Tigers, kept the Gorillas in check allowing only one hit over the next two frames as the score remained tied 2-2 heading into the fifth inning.
Pittsburg State added a pair of runs in the fifth on four hits, but the Tigers responded in the sixth when Grant Schmidt blasted a three-run home run to give the Tigers a 5-4 lead.
Mason Holton took the mound to start the bottom of the sixth and struck out four of the first seven batters he faced. However, he found himself in a jam in the eighth with the bases loaded and one out. He got a strikeout for the second out, but then surrendered a walk that tied the game. Moments later, a double cleared the bases putting the Gorillas ahead 8-5. Cole Zimmerman entered in relief and got a strikeout to end the bottom of the eighth. Unfortunately, the Tigers had no counter against Jordan Mendenhall in the ninth, who collected his third save of the season for PSU.
Campbell threw five complete innings allowing four runs on seven hits with three walks and a strikeout. Holton recorded five strikeouts in 2.2 innings of work and gave up the other four Gorilla runs. Five Tigers recorded a hit in the contest.
The Tigers will be at home on Tuesday to face Newman University in the second of three single game contests spaced out over a few weeks. FHSU won the first contest with Newman this year by a score of 15-10 in Wichita. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Larks Park.