⚾ RiverHawks top Tigers in series opener

FHSU Athletics

HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped the weekend opener against Northeastern State 17-5 on Friday. The RiverHawks took advantage of the stiff north breeze at Larks Park, totaling seven home runs compared to two for the Tigers.

The visitors got off to a quick start, scoring five runs on two home runs in the first. Starter Zach Berg (0-4) settled in for the second inning, retiring the side without allowing a hit before NSU tacked on solo home runs in the third and fourth innings.

Padraic Walsh came on to retire the side in order in the fifth, but the RiverHawk bats came back to life in the final two innings, scoring five in the sixth and five more in the seventh.

The Tigers got on the board in the home half of the second when Conner Kessler crushed a 1-0 pitch over the fence in left field for his third home run of the season.

Mason Holton added a run for the Tigers in the fifth when he sprinted 360 feet on a pair of RiverHawk errors. The freshman slapped a ball towards the first baseman, where it was misplayed by the NSU defender before bouncing down the right-field line. Holton rounded first and slid into second to try to beat the throw that instead went under the shortstop's glove and into left field. The ball then escaped the grasp of the left fielder and bounced all the way into the corner, allowing Holton to get up and sprint home without a throw.

The Tigers then put together a rally in the seventh to try to close the gap when Kessler led off with an eight-pitch walk. Holton then swung at the first pitch he saw, sending it soaring into the jet stream and over the fence in left center for his fourth home run of the year.

Mikey Felton followed with a single to right two batters later before Jenner Kehe drove him in with a hard-hit double to left center. But the rally would end there after RiverHawk reliever Jon Moll ended the game by forcing a flyout to right.

Berg tossed four innings, giving up seven runs on eight hits while striking out two. Walsh surrendered eight runs on seven hits while striking out one RiverHawk in two innings of relief. Tanner Lukowski tossed the final inning, striking out one while giving up two runs on one hit.

Felton collected two hits on the day, while Kessler and Holton each scored twice.

The Tigers and RiverHawks will continue their series Saturday with first pitch slated for 2 p.m.