FHSU Athletics
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The Fort Hays State baseball team wrapped up its series against Northwest Missouri State with a split on Friday, taking the continuation of Thursday's suspended game 10-8 in extra innings before falling 9-1 in the series finale. The Tigers are now 4-9 overall and 1-2 in MIAA play, while the Bearcats improve to 10-5 on the year and 2-1 in league action.
Game 2: Fort Hays State 10, Northwest Missouri State 8 (10 innings)
After entering the day down 7-6 entering the eighth inning, Antonio Avila opened the resumed game with a double to left center. The senior advanced 90 feet on a groundout, but was stranded at third as the tying run.
After throwing 67 pitches on Thursday, Caleb Camp continued to work nearly 18 hours later, retiring the side in order in the eighth. Tytin Goebel led off the ninth with a single before Bret Deegan reached on an error on a sacrifice bunt. Dylan Salcido legged out an infield single two batters later, loading the bases with one out for Cooper Howell.
The shortstop came up in the clutch, driving in a pair with a single to center to give the Tigers an 8-7 lead. A one-out triple helped the Bearcats tie things up in the bottom of the ninth, but Camp got out of the inning with two strikeouts.
Garretson Cook continued a strong performance with a leadoff single in the extra frame before moving to third on two groundouts. The first baseman was able to score on a wild pitch, putting FHSU back on top, before another run came in to score on an error.
24 hours after throwing 106 pitches over the first six innings of game one Thursday, Brett Jacobs took over with two men on base in the bottom of the 10th. The junior struck out the first two batters he faced before bringing the game to a close with a bases-loaded groundout.
Camp (1-0) took the win after striking out eight batters over five-plus innings of relief, allowing just two runs on three hits. Jacobs picked up his first save of the season and the second of his career after a scoreless inning of relief.
Howell, Cook and Erick Ordonez all had three hits each in the contest, with Cook scoring three times and Howell driving in a trio of RBI.
Game 3: Northwest Missouri State 9, Fort Hays State 1
After the Tigers left two men on base in the top of the first, the Bearcats pushed across three runs on three hits in the home half of the inning. FHSU answered with a Dylan Salcido RBI single in the top of the second, but the rally ended there.
The Tigers managed baserunners in seven of the nine innings but left 11 men on base in the loss. The Bearcats added to their lead with one run in the fifth and five more in the seventh.
Cody Bruss (1-2) took the loss after allowing six runs in 6.1 innings of work as the starter. Bret Deegan came on to get the final five outs, allowing three baserunners. Cook recorded two hits and worked a walk, with five other Tigers managing single base knocks.
Up Next
The Tigers will open a seven-game homestand Tuesday (Feb. 24) when they host Washburn beginning at 3 p.m. in Larks Park.