FHSU Athletics
EDMOND, Okla. - The Fort Hays State baseball team fell to Central Oklahoma by one run for the second time in as many days on Saturday, losing 4-3. It was the sixth one-run loss for the Tigers (9-21, 6-14 MIAA) this season.
The Bronchos (15-15, 6-10 MIAA) scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first to take the lead before Derek Woolwine reached on a one-out single in the top of the second. The senior then stole second and later came around to score on an RBI single from Cooper Howell.
Three walks loaded the bases for UCO in the bottom of the third before the home team took the lead with a single. The Tigers answered in the top of the fifth when Howell led off with a single. The shortstop moved up 90 feet on a sacrifice bunt before sprinting home on an RBI single from Mac Bowie.
The Bronchos pushed across another run in the sixth before adding an insurance run in the seventh following three walks and a wild pitch. Antonio Avila started a Tiger rally in the eighth with a single before Tytin Goebel worked a walk. Avila then moved up to third on a deep fly ball before coming in to score on a passed ball, helping FHSU close within 4-3.
The Tigers then had the tying run on second with one out in the ninth but the Bronchos slammed the door with a line out and a strikeout.
Howell was 2-for-2 with a pair of singles and a pair of sacrifice bunts. Brett Jacobs (1-5) took the loss despite allowing just two earned runs (three total) on seven hits over six innings of work. Brandon Chavez got the final five outs, striking out three and allowing one hit.
The Tigers and Bronchos will wrap up the series on Sunday (March 29) beginning at noon before FHSU opens an 11-game homestand next Thursday against Pittsburg State.