FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. – In a high-scoring battle at Larks Park, Fort Hays State edged out Central Oklahoma 13-12 on Saturday in a game that featured explosive innings from both teams. The Tigers' offense delivered timely hits, while the bullpen held off a late push from the Bronchos to secure the victory.
Central Oklahoma wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as Grant Randall launched a solo home run to left field in the first at-bat of the game. Fort Hays State was kept off the board in the bottom half, but the Tigers' bats came alive in the second inning.
Trey DeGarmo evened the score with a solo home run to left-center, setting the stage for a big inning. After Luis Ayala singled up the middle, Brady Kreutzer delivered a two-run blast to left center, giving the Tigers a 3-1 lead. Later in the inning, Zane Knox added to the onslaught with a two-run homer of his own, making it a 5-1 advantage. Fort Hays State tacked on another run in the third when Cooper Howell drove in Elliott Herrmann with an RBI single, extending the lead to 6-1.
The Bronchos roared back in the fourth with a seven-run explosion. Orlando Gonzalez started the rally with a two-run homer, cutting the deficit to 6-3. Davan Brady followed with a two-run shot of his own, bringing Central Oklahoma within one. Garrett Long kept the momentum going with a solo homer to right center, tying the game at 6-6. After a base hit from Randall, Caden Robertson crushed a two-run homer to center field, capping the big inning and giving the Bronchos an 8-6 lead.
The Tigers responded immediately in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, DeGarmo launched his second home run of the game, a three-run blast to left, putting Fort Hays State back on top 9-8.Central Oklahoma pushed across a run in the sixth on an RBI groundout by Robertson, tying the game at 9-9. However, the Tigers took control in the bottom half, capitalizing on a clutch single from Howell to plate four runs and grab a 13-9 lead.
Brady continued his monster day for the Bronchos in the seventh, blasting a two-run homer to center to trim the deficit to 13-11. In the eighth, Ty Chapman homered to left center, making it a one-run game at 13-12.
Central Oklahoma threatened in the ninth after a hit-by-pitch and a walk put the go-ahead run on base. However, reliever Brett Jacobs shut the door, inducing a fielder's choice before striking out the final batter to secure his first save of the season.
DeGarmo led the way for Fort Hays State, going 2-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs. Kreutzer and Knox also homered, while Howell contributed a pair of key RBI singles. For Central Oklahoma, Brady powered the offense with two homers and four RBIs, while Randall, Chapman, Robertson, and Gonzalez each went deep in the loss.
UP NEXT
The Tigers (15-5, 10-1 MIAA) will look to keep their momentum rolling as they will look for the sweep in the final game of the series against the Bronchos (16-7, 6-5 MIAA) on Sunday at 1 p.m.