HAYS, Kan. – Big innings have been a problem for the Fort Hays State baseball team and they were again Friday as the Tigers drop their series opener with No. 9 Missouri Southern State 12-2 in seven innings at Larks Park.
Ryan Ruder held the Lions in check through the first two innings but MSSU scored runs runs in the third, five in the fifth and three more in the sixth for the run-rule victory.
MSSU (16-3, 10-3 MIAA), used back-to-back doubles from Jordan Fitzpatrick and Troy Gagan along with a two-out single from Henry Kusiak to take a 4-0 lead in the top of the third. The Tigers got their only hit off starter Zach Parish (6-0) in the bottom of the innings. Jacob Bouzide's single loaded the bases. The Tigers scored on a bases loaded walk to Grant Schmidt but Corbin Truslow struck out looking to end the threat.
Parish, who is the MIAA career strikeout leader, allowed just the one run on one hit with eight strikeouts and two walks over five innings and picked up the win.
The Lions broke the game open in the fifth on a one-out grand slam by catcher following an intentional walk to Troy Gagan. They added an additional run and led 9-1
MSSU would add three in the sixth thanks to two walks and a hit batter.
Garrett Stephens led off the bottom of the seventh with a single. He moved to second on a walk to Drake Angeron then to third on Ed Scott's gr0undout to first and eventually scored on a passed ball. The Tigers had runners at second and third with one out but Griffon Brunson popped out to first then Kade Wallace lined out to left to end the game.
Ryan Ruder (0-3) took the loss for the Tigers, allowing nine runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts and two walks over 4 1/3 innings.
Conner Kessler gave up three runs on two hits on 2/3 innings or releif. Padriac Walsh worked a scoreless inning of relief in his season debut following an injury the week before the season opened. Freshman Tanner Lukowski worked 1-2-3 inning in his career debut.
The Tigers and Lions return to the field on Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at noon to wrap up the three-game weekend series.