FHSU Athletics
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Fort Hays State baseball team split the second double header of their series with Adams State on Saturday. Day two held a similar pattern as day one did offensively for both teams as they combined for 42 runs across both contests. After a tough loss in game one, the Tigers used a massive rally to claim the second game and clinch a series split.
Game 1 - Adams State 9, Fort Hays State 7
The Tigers fell behind early in the opener before putting together a big rally in the top of the third. Trailing 3-0, Fort Hays State used patience at the plate and some small ball to plate six runs. The Tigers took advantage of four walks and one Grizzly error in the inning, ultimately sending 11 men to the plate.
The first run came in on a wild pitch before Mikey Felton and Ridge Stephens worked bases-loaded walks to tie the score. Ed Scott gave the Tigers the lead with a two-RBI single to left center before another run came in on a booted ground ball by the ASU shortstop.
The lead would be short-lived, however, with Adams State responding with three runs in the home half of the inning.
The Tigers went back on top, 7-6, in the top of the fifth after Scott worked a one-out walk. The senior later came in to score on an RBI double into the right-center gap from Trey DeGarmo. Adams State managed to bounce back once again, going up 9-7 after plating a trio of runs in the bottom of the fifth.
FHSU had the tying run at the plate in the seventh after another base knock from Scott, but the Grizzlies secured the win after a bang-bang play at first base.
Scott finished the contest 2-for-2 with a pair of walks, while DeGarmo also added a pair of base hits.
Game 2 – Fort Hays State 19, Adams State 7
FHSU took an early 3-0 lead in the final game of the series with a pair of RBI doubles from Elliott Herrmann and Emile Boies followed by an RBI single up the middle from Colter Maldonado. Adams State scored a pair of runs in the home half on a bases loaded double play and a throwing error by the second baseman. The Grizzlies found the tying run in the third with their first hit of the game, a home run over the right-field fence.
Fort Hays State regained the lead in the next half-inning with another RBI double, this time from Zach Davis, before pushing across three more runs in the sixth to extend their lead to 7-3. A wild pitch brought in the first run before Isaiah Ural crushed the fourth RBI double of the contest, plating a pair
The Grizzlies mounted a rally in the home half of the seventh, scoring four runs to send the game into extra innings.
The eighth inning was all Tigers, with FHSU plating 12 runs on seven hits. Back-to-back home runs from Ural and Herrmann kicked off what would be an offensive explosion. Ural's was a two-run shot, bringing home DeGarmo who led off with a walk. A Tico Olivas single and a walk to davis Davis brought Felton to the plate, who delivered with the third home run of the inning.
The sequence continued as the Tigers loaded the bases on a single, a walk, and a fielding error by the shortstop. After a Ural walk brought home Scott, Herrmann ripped another double down the left field line to clearing the bases. The final two runs would come on a triple down the right field line by Davis. Boies came in to pitch in the bottom of the inning, striking out two of the three batters he faced to seal the win.
Nate Pitts tossed five solid innings in his collegiate debut, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits. Spencer Maley tossed a spotless inning of relief, striking out two of the four batters he faced.
Herrmann and Felton finished with three hits in the contest, while Ural and Herrmann each claimed five RBI.
The Tigers will continue their run through the RMAC next week as they travel to Las Vegas, N.M. to take on New Mexico Highlands February 10-11.