TOPEKA, Kan. – Fort Hays State picked up another split on Sunday (Feb. 27) at the Washburn Invitational. The Tigers could not cash in on several offensive opportunities in a 4-1 loss to Southwest Minnesota State, but they bounced back for a 10-7 win over University of Mary. The Tigers have now had five consecutive splits on their last five dates of competition.
Southwest Minnesota State 4, Fort Hays State 1
Erika Flynn started Fort Hays State's first contest by no-hitting Southwest Minnesota State through four innings. Meanwhile, the Tigers offense was able to produce baserunners in the second, third, and fourth innings, but could not find a run as the game remained scoreless going to the fifth.
Flynn ran into some trouble in the fifth when she allowed a leadoff walk and then a well-placed bunt single that broke up her no-hit bid. After a sacrifice bunt, the Mustangs scored the game's first run on an RBI grounder on the infield. Since the throw was offline, SMSU kept two on base with a 1-0 lead. An RBI single made it 2-0 and then a sacrifice fly pushed the lead to 3-0. Morgan Schmidt relieved Flynn in the fifth and got the Tigers out of the inning without further damage. Flynn finished with just two hits allowed in 4.1 innings of work, but would come up on the short end of the pitching decision in the game.
The Tigers got runners to second and third with no outs in the fifth, but came up empty. A pair of singles off Schmidt in the sixth gave the Mustangs a 4-0 lead.
FHSU made a big threat in the bottom of the seventh by loading the bases with one out on three consecutive singles by Betsy Parmley, Jessica Espinoza, and Lindsey Kelly. Kiana Blake brought Fort Hays State's only run home on a fielder's choice RBI grounder. Loren Beggs stepped to the plate as the game's tying run, but hit a sharp lineout to right field to end the game.
Shelby Bloemendaal picked up a complete-game win for SMSU in the circle. She allowed 10 hits and walked one, while striking out two.
Fort Hays State 10, Mary 7
The Tigers had two big offensive innings and held on in an offensive contest that saw 26 hits between the teams. Fort Hays State outhit Mary 15-11 as Loren Beggs and Jessica Espinoza each had three hits.
Fort Hays State strung together five straight singles to open the third inning, which led to a 5-0 lead. Kiana Blake, Sara Breckbill, Beggs, and Espinoza all had RBI singles in the inning. Madison Pierce produced a sacrifice fly RBI.
Mary chipped away at the lead by scoring two in the third and one in the fourth to make it 5-3, but the Tigers stretched their lead once more with four runs in the fifth. Breckbill scored the first run on a wild pitch, while Espinoza, Regan Curry, and Betsy Parmley all had RBI singles.
The Marauders made things interesting once again when Haley Berube hit a grand slam, instantly bringing the Tiger lead back to just two at 9-7 after five innings. The Tigers tacked on their final insurance run in the sixth on another Pierce sacrifice fly RBI.
Savanah Egger pitched 3.2 innings in a start, but was an out shy of qualifying for the win. She allowed the first three runs to the Marauders and struck out three. Morgan Schmidt pitched 0.2 innings of relief and allowed four runs, but was able to qualify for the win with FHSU still in the lead. Bailey Carlson turned out to be the stopper for FHSU, holding Mary scoreless over the final 2.2 innings to pick up a save. She allowed just two hits and struck out one.
Mary used three different pitchers in the game and the loss went to starter Emari Evans, who lasted just 2.2 innings in her start.
Fort Hays State will close out the Washburn Invitational with another pair of games on Monday (Feb. 28), taking on Sioux Falls and Wayne State (Neb.) at 10 am and 2 pm. Live stats will be available for both contests.