HAYS, Kan. - Solid pitching performances from Sammy Sanchez and Zach Berg and timely hits from Kade Wallace and Jenner Kehe helped the Fort Hays State baseball team defeat Emporia State in the first of a three-game series Friday (March 4), 2-0. It was the first shutout victory for the Tigers since February 2020 (2/21/20 vs CSU-Pueblo, 1-0 in 10 inn.).
Sanchez (2-1) worked with runners on base much of the afternoon, retiring the side in order only once. But he had no problem getting out of jams, with ESU leaving a total of 11 runners on base, including six in scoring position. The junior collected seven strikeouts after recording eight strikeouts in his last outing, bringing his team-leading total up to 31 this season.
Ed Scott singled and stole second in the home half of the first, but Emporia State starter Aaron Bechtel worked out of the jam with a strikeout and a fly out. After eight-straight Tigers were retired, Scott had the Tigers back in business with a leadoff single in the fourth. The center fielder moved to third on a pair of ground balls before coming in to score on a two-out, RBI-single from Wallace. The senior first baseman sent a 2-1 pitch through the right side, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
After Sanchez' only one-two-three inning of the game in the top of the fifth, Fort Hays State doubled the lead with a manufactured run in the home half. Jaxson Webb led off with a solid line drive to left center, bringing up Griffin Brunson. The shortstop squared around to bunt four times, but pulled the bat back each time, ultimately striking out. The Tigers opted for the sac bunt again with Mason Holton at the plate, with the freshman third baseman successfully advancing the runner. Now with two outs, Kehe swung at the first pitch and sent it rolling into right field. Webb sprinted around third, forcing a throw to the plate. The ball came in off line, allowing Webb to easily score.
Bechtel regained control after that, retiring the last 10 hitters of the game for the Tigers. Emporia State led off with a single in the sixth before the Tiger defense turned its league-leading 11th double play of the year. The Hornets picked up their first and only extra-base hit in the seventh on a double into the right field corner, but Sanchez got back-to-back ground outs to get out of the inning unscathed.
Berg (1) came on in the eighth, giving up a leadoff hit before three consecutive outs got the Tigers out of the inning. The Hornets managed to get the tying run on base in the ninth after a single and a walk, but the junior pitcher got the final three outs on fly balls to right, center and left field.
Sanchez did not walk a batter, allowing eight hits and one hit by pitch over 7.0 innings of work. Berg surrendered just two hits and one walk while striking out one batter in his 2.0 innings of work, picking up his first save as a Tiger.
Bechtel (1-4) took the loss after striking out eight while throwing a complete game. He gave up five hits and zero walks over 8.0 innings of work.
The Tigers will look to clinch a series victory with another win tomorrow in game two, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. at Larks Park.