FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State baseball team fell to Washburn in a midweek conference game Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 24) at Larks Park, losing 13-8. The Tigers (4-10, 1-3 MIAA) led 2-1 after the first inning, but a four-run frame for the Ichabods (5-6, 3-1 MIAA) in the fourth gave the visitors the lead for good.
Washburn struck first with one run in the top of the first, capitalizing on a leadoff double. The Tigers responded with two runs to take the lead after Cooper Howell reached on a leadoff error. Antonio Avila then walked before Tytin Goebel came through with a two-out double, driving in a pair and giving FHSU the lead.
The Ichabods answered with two runs on three hits in the second, but a Howell solo home run tied the score at three in the home half of the inning.
Neither side scored in the third before Washburn took control in the fourth, plating four runs on three hits and three free passes. It was the first of three-straight multi-run innings for the road team, with the Ichabods plating two in the fifth and three in the sixth.
Trailing 12-3, the Tigers scored two unearned runs thanks to two Ichabod errors in the sixth before Tony Moore and Derek Woolwine smashed back-to-back solo home runs in the eighth, trimming the deficit to 12-7.
Washburn added an insurance run in the top of the ninth, pushing its lead to six runs. Erick Ordonez got a rally going with a double in the bottom of the ninth before three consecutive walks pushed across a run, but the Ichabods finally finished the win with a fly ball to center.
Howell collected three of FHSU's 10 hits, scoring two runs. Dylan Salcido and Moore had two hits each, with Moore and Ordonez also scoring two runs apiece.
Aaron Boutz (0-2) took the loss after allowing seven runs on seven hits over 3.2 innings of work. Tucker Russell allowed one run over the final three innings, giving up just two hits.
The Tigers will be at home again this weekend (Feb. 27-March 1) when they host Rogers State in a three-game series. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. each day.