FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State and Lincoln each posted shutouts to split a doubleheader at Fleharty Family Field on Friday. FHSU won game one 4-0 before Lincoln took the second contest 1-0 in a pair of pitcher's duels. FHSU is now 18-20 overall, 4-12 in the MIAA, while Lincoln went to 12-26 overall, 4-16 in the MIAA.
Game 1: Fort Hays State 4, Lincoln 0
Both teams had just three hits through the first four and a half innings of play until Fort Hays State broke the first-game scoreless tie with three runs and three hits in the bottom of the fifth. FHSU would add on one more run in the sixth, though only two of their runs in the game were earned.
Sarah Tiffany led off the fifth with a single and with two outs Regan Curry singled to put two on base. Carly Stuke broke the seal on the scoreless tie with a double over the head of the left fielder to score both runners. A fielding error allowed another Tiger run in the inning as FHSU took a 3-0 lead to the sixth. A throwing error on a stolen base by Sarah Tiffany in the sixth led to a sacrifice fly RBI by Madison Pierce to make it 4-0.
That was plenty for Savanah Egger, who threw her third complete-game shutout of the season. Egger moved to 10-9 overall on the season, allowing just four hits with five walks. She struck out five.
Paige Rademann (4-11) took the loss for Lincoln, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk with one strikeout. She handed the ball to Mallorey Rogers in the sixth, who tossed an inning with one unearned run allowed.
Game 2: Lincoln 1, Fort Hays State 0
The Tigers had a tough time finding key hits when they needed them in the second contest of the day. They had runners in scoring position in the third, fourth, and sixth innings, but could not come up with a hit in the clutch as Abby Pulliam (2-4) of Lincoln threw a complete-game shutout to earn Lincoln it's first-ever win in Hays.
The Tigers loaded the bases with one out in the fourth and a fielder's choice on the infield and a groundout ended that threat. They got a runner to third with one out in the sixth and had a groundout and pop up that ended that scoring chance.
Pulliam finished with six hits allowed and two walks, while striking out three Tigers. Lincoln broke the scoreless tie between teams in the top of the sixth when a single, walk, and passed ball put runners into scoring position with no outs. A weak grounder on the infield to the right side pushed the go-ahead run across, but Morgan Schmidt avoided any further damage with a strikeout and groundout.
Schmidt took a tough-luck loss, allowing just three hits and a walk, while striking out seven. Her only run allowed was unearned.
UP NEXT
The Tigers play host to Central Missouri on Saturday in a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. at Fleharty Family Field.