FHSU Athletics
PITTSBURG, Kan. – No. 27 Fort Hays State dropped a tough road contest against Pittsburg State on Saturday afternoon, falling 5-1 in an MIAA matchup at Al Ortolani Field. The Tigers (18-6, 13-2 MIAA) took an early lead in the fourth inning, but a three-run sixth inning propelled the Gorillas (18-6, 8-6 MIAA) to victory. The result snapped a six-game win streak for the Tigers.
Both teams struggled to generate offense early, as starters Paul Panduro and Maddox Thornton worked through the first three innings without allowing a run. Fort Hays State finally broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth. Elliott Herrmann singled up the middle with one out before Trey DeGarmo followed with a single of his own to right-center. After a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, Cooper Howell lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing Herrmann home for the first run of the game.
Pittsburg State threatened in the bottom half of the inning but was turned away by Panduro. The right-hander worked efficiently through five innings, but the Gorillas finally broke through in the sixth. A two-out rally started with a walk to Drew Bugner, followed by another free pass to Hayden Dyer. Austin Warkins then delivered an RBI single to right, tying the game at 1-1. Moments later, Jake Skaggs lined a two-run double into the gap, scoring both Dyer and Warkins to give the Gorillas a 3-1 lead.
The Tigers looked for an answer in the seventh, but Pittsburg State's defense turned a key double play to keep FHSU off the board. The Gorillas added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning when Bugner singled to left and later came around to score on an error.
Spencer Maley took the mound for Fort Hays State in the eighth, but Pittsburg State managed to tack on one more run. Fort Hays State had one final chance in the ninth, but Pittsburg State closer Cooper Crouch shut the door with a clean inning.
The Tigers were limited to just seven hits on the day, with Cesar Saavedra leading the way at 2-for-4, including a stolen base. Herrmann, DeGarmo, Howell, Ayala, and Woolwine each added a hit, but FHSU struggled to find timely offense.
Panduro, a Pittsburg State transfer, took the loss after going 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits with five walks and one strikeout. Brett Jacobs and Maley combined for 2 1/3 innings in relief, striking out three. Thornton earned the win for Pittsburg State, tossing eight innings of one-run ball while scattering seven hits and striking out four.
UP NEXT
The Tigers will look to bounce back in the series finale tomorrow (March 23) as they continue MIAA play on the road.