INDIANAPOLIS - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team earned an at-large bid into the 2025 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship, announced on Selection Sunday. The Tigers will play as the No. 3 seed in the Central Regional for a second season in a row, with FHSU drawing No. 6 seed Southern Nazarene in the quarterfinal round.

The Tigers and the Crimson Storm will open the tournament on Friday (March 14) beginning at noon inside Lance Arena on the campus of Pittsburg State University. The Gorillas earned hosting duties after picking up the top overall seed in the region.

Fort Hays State enters the tournament 27-4 on the year, the fifth-most wins in a single season in team history. The Tigers posted their 14th-straight 20-win season, the longest active streak in Division II.

This is Fort Hays State's 10th selection to play in the NCAA Tournament, including nine trips to the dance in the last 11 years. The Tigers are 8-8 all-time in the tournament, 1-1 against teams from the GAC, 1-1 as the No. 3 seed and 1-0 against the No. 6 seed.

The Tigers have played in the regional in Pittsburg once before, earning the No. 5 seed in 2016 before falling to No. 4 Winona State in the quarterfinal round, 60-55.

Fort Hays State reached the regional semifinal last year as the No. 3 seed, beating Northwest Missouri in the quarterfinal round before falling to eventual national champion Minnesota State-Mankato in the semis.

There is a quick turnaround after Friday's quarterfinal round, with winning teams playing in the semifinals on Saturday (March 15) before advancing to the regional title game next Monday (March 17).

The Central Region champion will join seven other regional champions in Pittsburgh, Pa. at the NCAA Division II Women's Elite Eight March 24-28.

Fort Hays State is 2-0 all-time against Southern Nazarene, including a 45-43 win in the most recent meeting in 2022.

Tickets will go on sale Monday morning at the PSU Ticket Office or by calling (620) 235-4796. All tickets are general admission. Cost is $10 for an adult single-session ticket and $3 for a student single-session ticket.&nbsp;More information on the regional will be released as it becomes available.

2025 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship Central Region Tournament Quarterfinal Matchups Noon - No. 3 Fort Hays State (27-4) vs. No. 7 Southern Nazarene (23-7) 2:30 p.m. - No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul (29-2) vs. No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State (26-4) 5 p.m. - No. 1 Pittsburg State (29-3) vs. No. 8 Harding (25-6) 7:30 p.m. - No. 4 Missouri Western (20-9) vs. No. 5 Minnesota State Mankato (24-7)&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741579772609.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsINDIANAPOLIS - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team earned an at-large bid into the 2025 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship, announced on Selection Sunday. The Tigers will play as the No. 3 seed in the Central Regional for a second season in a row, with FHSU drawing No. 6 seed Southern Nazarene in the quarterfinal round.The Tigers and the Crimson Storm will open the tournament on Friday (March 14) beginning at noon inside Lance Arena on the campus of Pittsburg State University. The Gorillas earned hosting duties after picking up the top overall seed in the region.Fort Hays State enters the tournament 27-4 on the year, the fifth-most wins in a single season in team history. The Tigers posted their 14th-straight 20-win season, the longest active streak in Division II.This is Fort Hays State's 10th selection to play in the NCAA Tournament, including nine trips to the dance in the last 11 years. The Tigers are 8-8 all-time in the tournament, 1-1 against teams from the GAC, 1-1 as the No. 3 seed and 1-0 against the No. 6 seed.The Tigers have played in the regional in Pittsburg once before, earning the No. 5 seed in 2016 before falling to No. 4 Winona State in the quarterfinal round, 60-55.Fort Hays State reached the regional semifinal last year as the No. 3 seed, beating Northwest Missouri in the quarterfinal round before falling to eventual national champion Minnesota State-Mankato in the semis.There is a quick turnaround after Friday's quarterfinal round, with winning teams playing in the semifinals on Saturday (March 15) before advancing to the regional title game next Monday (March 17).The Central Region champion will join seven other regional champions in Pittsburgh, Pa. at the NCAA Division II Women's Elite Eight March 24-28.Fort Hays State is 2-0 all-time against Southern Nazarene, including a 45-43 win in the most recent meeting in 2022.Tickets will go on sale Monday morning at the PSU Ticket Office or by calling (620) 235-4796. All tickets are general admission. Cost is $10 for an adult single-session ticket and $3 for a student single-session ticket.&nbsp;More information on the regional will be released as it becomes available.2025 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship Central Region Tournament Quarterfinal Matchups Noon - No. 3 Fort Hays State (27-4) vs. No. 7 Southern Nazarene (23-7) 2:30 p.m. - No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul (29-2) vs. No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State (26-4) 5 p.m. - No. 1 Pittsburg State (29-3) vs. No. 8 Harding (25-6) 7:30 p.m. - No. 4 Missouri Western (20-9) vs. No. 5 Minnesota State Mankato (24-7)&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Tiger women draw the No. 3 seed in NCAA II Central Regional

INDIANAPOLIS – Fresh off a championship run in the MIAA Tournament, Fort Hays State Men's Basketball secured an automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship Tournament, announced Sunday by the NCAA. With a record of 22-9, the Tigers earned the No. 7 seed in the Central Region and will take on No. 2 seed MSU Moorhead in the regional quarterfinals at Lee Arena in Topeka, Kansas.

This marks Fort Hays State's 15th NCAA Central Regional appearance overall and back-to-back years the Tigers are in the big dance. Under 24th-year head coach Mark Johnson, FHSU has reached the NCAA Tournament nine times.

The Tigers enter the tournament battle-tested, having navigated a grueling MIAA slate before claiming the conference tournament title. Their nation-leading scoring defense has been the backbone of their success.

Fort Hays State is one of two teams from the MIAA to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament, joining nationally ranked and Central Region host Washburn. The Ichabods are the No. 1 seed in the Central Region, so the tournament will be held at Lee Arena in Topeka. The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference placed five teams in the field, while the Great American Conference secured just one with Harding getting the automatic qualifier.

2025 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship Central Region Tournament Quarterfinal Matchups Noon - No. 3 Winona State vs. No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State 2:30 p.m. -&nbsp;No. 2 MSU Moorhead vs. No. 7 Fort Hays State 5:00 p.m. -&nbsp;No. 1 Washburn vs. No. 8 Harding 7:30 p.m. -&nbsp;No. 4 Minot State vs. No. 5 Concordia-St. Paul

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741579471797.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsINDIANAPOLIS – Fresh off a championship run in the MIAA Tournament, Fort Hays State Men's Basketball secured an automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship Tournament, announced Sunday by the NCAA. With a record of 22-9, the Tigers earned the No. 7 seed in the Central Region and will take on No. 2 seed MSU Moorhead in the regional quarterfinals at Lee Arena in Topeka, Kansas.This marks Fort Hays State's 15th NCAA Central Regional appearance overall and back-to-back years the Tigers are in the big dance. Under 24th-year head coach Mark Johnson, FHSU has reached the NCAA Tournament nine times.The Tigers enter the tournament battle-tested, having navigated a grueling MIAA slate before claiming the conference tournament title. Their nation-leading scoring defense has been the backbone of their success.Fort Hays State is one of two teams from the MIAA to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament, joining nationally ranked and Central Region host Washburn. The Ichabods are the No. 1 seed in the Central Region, so the tournament will be held at Lee Arena in Topeka. The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference placed five teams in the field, while the Great American Conference secured just one with Harding getting the automatic qualifier.2025 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship Central Region Tournament Quarterfinal Matchups Noon - No. 3 Winona State vs. No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State 2:30 p.m. -&nbsp;No. 2 MSU Moorhead vs. No. 7 Fort Hays State 5:00 p.m. -&nbsp;No. 1 Washburn vs. No. 8 Harding 7:30 p.m. -&nbsp;No. 4 Minot State vs. No. 5 Concordia-St. Paul

🏀Tiger men draw No. 7 seed in Central Region of NCAA Tournament

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State fell in the MIAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship Game on Sunday at Municipal Auditorium. Pittsburg State raced out of the gate to a 9-0 lead and the Tigers struggled to find their rhythm early, ultimately leading to an 81-73 victory for the Gorillas. FHSU is now 27-4 overall, while PSU moved to 29-3 overall. Both teams will await their NCAA Tournament future tonight during the selection show at 9:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.

Fort Hays State fell down 22-10 after one quarter and the lead grew as large as 22 in the first half for the Gorillas. Eventually PSU took a 16-point lead (43-27) to the locker room. The Gorillas shot nearly 50 percent in the first half, while FHSU struggled to just 33.3 percent.

The Tigers lost two more points of ground in the third quarter and went into the fourth down 18. The Gorillas held a 24-point lead with 8:49 to play, but the Tigers found a lot of success late and trimmed the final score all the way back down to an eight-point margin. FHSU had the lead down to six with six seconds to play.

Katie DeGarmo, the MIAA Player of the Year, moved into the all-time lead for scoring and rebounds at the MIAA Tournament. She had a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds. She finished with 227 points and 117 rebounds in her MIAA Tournament career.

Olivia Hollenbeck&nbsp;and Talexa Weeter&nbsp;tied for high-point honors for the Tigers, each with 17. Hollenbeck was just one rebound shy of a double-double with nine. Brooke Loewe&nbsp;also was close to a double-double with 15 points and nine assists. Weeter and DeGarmo were named to the all-tournament team for their success over three contests.

Grace Pyle led the Gorillas with 23 points, while Karenna Gerber added 19. All Gorillas that played in the game scored.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741578847355.png" alt="Fort Hays State's Brooke Loewe drives to the basket in the second half of the MIAA Tournament championship game against Pittsburg State on Sunday, March 9, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Brooke Loewe drives to the basket in the second half of the MIAA Tournament championship game against Pittsburg State on Sunday, March 9, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsKANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State fell in the MIAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship Game on Sunday at Municipal Auditorium. Pittsburg State raced out of the gate to a 9-0 lead and the Tigers struggled to find their rhythm early, ultimately leading to an 81-73 victory for the Gorillas. FHSU is now 27-4 overall, while PSU moved to 29-3 overall. Both teams will await their NCAA Tournament future tonight during the selection show at 9:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2050494612&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/talia-kahrs-postgame-1" title="Fort Hays State WBB Postgame Press Conference vs. Pittsburg State (March 9, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State WBB Postgame Press Conference vs. Pittsburg State (March 9, 2025)</a></div></div>Fort Hays State fell down 22-10 after one quarter and the lead grew as large as 22 in the first half for the Gorillas. Eventually PSU took a 16-point lead (43-27) to the locker room. The Gorillas shot nearly 50 percent in the first half, while FHSU struggled to just 33.3 percent.The Tigers lost two more points of ground in the third quarter and went into the fourth down 18. The Gorillas held a 24-point lead with 8:49 to play, but the Tigers found a lot of success late and trimmed the final score all the way back down to an eight-point margin. FHSU had the lead down to six with six seconds to play.Katie DeGarmo, the MIAA Player of the Year, moved into the all-time lead for scoring and rebounds at the MIAA Tournament. She had a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds. She finished with 227 points and 117 rebounds in her MIAA Tournament career.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2050508320&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-wbkb-highlights-v-pitt" title="#9 Fort Hays State WBB Highlights vs. #8 Pittsburg State (March 9, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">#9 Fort Hays State WBB Highlights vs. #8 Pittsburg State (March 9, 2025)</a></div></div>Olivia Hollenbeck&nbsp;and Talexa Weeter&nbsp;tied for high-point honors for the Tigers, each with 17. Hollenbeck was just one rebound shy of a double-double with nine. Brooke Loewe&nbsp;also was close to a double-double with 15 points and nine assists. Weeter and DeGarmo were named to the all-tournament team for their success over three contests.Grace Pyle led the Gorillas with 23 points, while Karenna Gerber added 19. All Gorillas that played in the game scored.

🏀 Tiger women fall short to Gorillas in MIAA championship game

&nbsp; KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State claimed its second MIAA Men's Basketball Tournament title with a 72-71 win over Central Oklahoma on Sunday afternoon at Municipal Auditorium. The Tigers grabbed the MIAA's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and will find out their opponent tonight during the NCAA selection show at 10 p.m. on NCAA.com. The Tigers moved to 22-9 overall, while the Bronchos finished their season at 19-13 overall.

The Tigers came out on the good end of a back-and-forth battle that saw 18 lead changes and 12 ties throughout. The last minute was full of drama as Kyle Grill&nbsp;broke a tie and put the Tigers up three with just under a minute to play. But just a few moments later, Israel Hart launched about a 30-foot 3-point field goal, made it, and was fouled. He hit the free throw to put the Bronchos up one with 47 seconds to go. Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;drew a foul with 27 seconds to go and hit both free throws to put the Tigers on top. Then in typical Tiger fashion, defense punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament as they got a defensive stop just before the buzzer to hang on by a point.

Both teams struggled to find any separation in the first half. Fort Hays State held the biggest lead of the half, a seven-point advantage with the score at 29-22. However, UCO outscored FHSU 14-6 over the final six minutes of the half to take a 36-35 lead at halftime.

With about 14:30 to go in the game, UCO held its largest lead of seven points by a score of 48-41. But the Tigers showed grit and countered with a 9-0 run to take the lead back at 50-48. The Tigers held a six-point lead of 67-61 with 3:30 to play, but the Bronchos countered with a 6-0 run to even the score and set up the drama in the final minute of the game that bounced the Tigers' way.

Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;finished with a team-high 22 points. He was a perfect 6-of-6 at the free-throw line, hitting his most crucial pair of the game. He was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Kyle Grill&nbsp;was also named to the All-Tournament Team, making his case with a 17-point performance going 7-of-10 from the field with three 3-point field goals. Dan Makuna&nbsp;provided a big stretch of minutes in the second half for the Tigers and finished with 11 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Hammeke dished out a team-high four assists. Lucas Hammeke&nbsp;was critical in FHSU's 9-0 run in the second half and finished with six points.

Hart led UCO with a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds. He also tied for his team's lead in assists with four. Jacobi Sebock had 16 points and JV Seat added 11. Hart and Seat were named to the all-tournament team as well.

Fort Hays State is a perfect 2-for-2 in MIAA championship games, also winning back in 2011. It was also the second tournament title under head coach Mark Johnson, who has now coached the Tigers to four conference titles (2 tournament, 2 regular season). The FHSU men are 6-1 overall in conference tournament title games in their NCAA Division II history.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741578272337.png" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Athletics&nbsp; KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State claimed its second MIAA Men's Basketball Tournament title with a 72-71 win over Central Oklahoma on Sunday afternoon at Municipal Auditorium. The Tigers grabbed the MIAA's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and will find out their opponent tonight during the NCAA selection show at 10 p.m. on NCAA.com. The Tigers moved to 22-9 overall, while the Bronchos finished their season at 19-13 overall.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2050458512&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/mark-johnson-postgame-4" title="Fort Hays State MBB Postgame Press Conference vs. Central Oklahoma (March 9, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State MBB Postgame Press Conference vs. Central Oklahoma (March 9, 2025)</a></div></div>The Tigers came out on the good end of a back-and-forth battle that saw 18 lead changes and 12 ties throughout. The last minute was full of drama as Kyle Grill&nbsp;broke a tie and put the Tigers up three with just under a minute to play. But just a few moments later, Israel Hart launched about a 30-foot 3-point field goal, made it, and was fouled. He hit the free throw to put the Bronchos up one with 47 seconds to go. Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;drew a foul with 27 seconds to go and hit both free throws to put the Tigers on top. Then in typical Tiger fashion, defense punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament as they got a defensive stop just before the buzzer to hang on by a point.Both teams struggled to find any separation in the first half. Fort Hays State held the biggest lead of the half, a seven-point advantage with the score at 29-22. However, UCO outscored FHSU 14-6 over the final six minutes of the half to take a 36-35 lead at halftime.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2050459264&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-mbkb-highlights-vs-6" title="Fort Hays State MBB Highlights vs. Central Oklahoma (March 9, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State MBB Highlights vs. Central Oklahoma (March 9, 2025)</a></div></div>With about 14:30 to go in the game, UCO held its largest lead of seven points by a score of 48-41. But the Tigers showed grit and countered with a 9-0 run to take the lead back at 50-48. The Tigers held a six-point lead of 67-61 with 3:30 to play, but the Bronchos countered with a 6-0 run to even the score and set up the drama in the final minute of the game that bounced the Tigers' way.Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;finished with a team-high 22 points. He was a perfect 6-of-6 at the free-throw line, hitting his most crucial pair of the game. He was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Kyle Grill&nbsp;was also named to the All-Tournament Team, making his case with a 17-point performance going 7-of-10 from the field with three 3-point field goals. Dan Makuna&nbsp;provided a big stretch of minutes in the second half for the Tigers and finished with 11 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Hammeke dished out a team-high four assists. Lucas Hammeke&nbsp;was critical in FHSU's 9-0 run in the second half and finished with six points.Hart led UCO with a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds. He also tied for his team's lead in assists with four. Jacobi Sebock had 16 points and JV Seat added 11. Hart and Seat were named to the all-tournament team as well.Fort Hays State is a perfect 2-for-2 in MIAA championship games, also winning back in 2011. It was also the second tournament title under head coach Mark Johnson, who has now coached the Tigers to four conference titles (2 tournament, 2 regular season). The FHSU men are 6-1 overall in conference tournament title games in their NCAA Division II history.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Tigers win instant classic MIAA championship game over Bronchos

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State baseball put up a fight until the final out but fell short in a 12-10 loss to Missouri Southern on Sunday (March 9) at Larks Park. Despite a late surge in the ninth inning, the Tigers couldn't overcome the Lions' offensive firepower, dropping to 12-5 overall and 7-1 in MIAA play.

Missouri Southern wasted no time jumping on the scoreboard, launching back-to-back solo home runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Fort Hays State threatened in the bottom half after a hit-by-pitch and a pair of singles loaded the bases, but the Tigers were unable to capitalize.

In the third, Fort Hays State responded when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/derek-woolwine/8557">Derek Woolwine</a>&nbsp;blasted a two-run home run to right field, tying the game at 2-2. However, Missouri Southern reclaimed the lead in the fourth, stringing together walks and a clutch single up the middle to drive in two more runs, putting the Lions back on top 4-2.

Fort Hays State erupted for five runs in the bottom of the fourth to take control of the game. The rally started with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/luis-ayala/8413">Luis Ayala</a>&nbsp;working a walk before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cooper-howell/8459">Cooper Howell</a>&nbsp;singled through the right side to put two runners aboard.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-kreutzer/8427">Brady Kreutzer</a>&nbsp;followed with an RBI single, cutting the deficit to 4-3.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/sebastian-burgos/8415">Sebastian Burgos</a>&nbsp;then delivered a crucial double to deep center, plating another run to tie the game at 4-4. With runners on second and third,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cesar-saavedra/8433">Cesar Saavedra</a>&nbsp;drove in the go-ahead run with a sharp single to right, giving the Tigers their first lead of the game at 5-4.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zane-knox/8426">Zane Knox</a>&nbsp;added an insurance run with a perfectly executed squeeze bunt to bring home Burgos before Woolwine capped off the rally with an RBI double down the line, extending the Tigers' advantage to 7-4.

The lead didn't last long as Missouri Southern stormed back with a four-run fifth inning. After a leadoff double and a strikeout, the Lions strung together a walk and a single to load the bases. Chayton Beck brought home a run with a single, cutting the deficit to 7-5. The biggest blow came off the bat of Cy Darnell, who hit a three-run homer to left field, flipping the score once again as Missouri Southern pulled ahead 8-7.

The Lions tacked on another run in the sixth with a bases-loaded walk, pushing the lead to 9-7. In the bottom half, Knox responded for Fort Hays State with a solo shot to right, cutting the gap to one at 9-8. Missouri Southern delivered another gut punch in the seventh when Brayden Luikart launched his second home run of the game, a three-run blast to left center, stretching the lead to 12-8.

Trailing by four entering the final frame, Fort Hays State made one last push. Woolwine sparked the comeback with a leadoff double down the right-field line.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyson-jimenez/8424">Tyson Jimenez</a>&nbsp;came in as a pinch-runner and quickly advanced to third when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/8419">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;ripped a double to left. With one out, Ayala lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing Jimenez home and making it a 12-9 game. On the next pitch, Howell delivered another clutch sac fly to center, scoring DeGarmo and bringing the Tigers within two at 12-10. However, Missouri Southern's closer Kyle Moore managed to shut the door, getting a called third strike to end the game and deny the Tigers' comeback attempt.

<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/derek-woolwine/8557">Derek Woolwine</a>&nbsp;led the Tigers with a stellar 4-for-5 performance, including a home run, a double, and three RBIs, providing a major spark for the Fort Hays State offense.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zane-knox/8426">Zane Knox</a>&nbsp;also played a key role, driving in two runs with a solo homer and executing a crucial sacrifice bunt. The Tigers showcased a balanced offensive attack, with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cesar-saavedra/8433">Cesar Saavedra</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cooper-howell/8459">Cooper Howell</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-kreutzer/8427">Brady Kreutzer</a>&nbsp;each contributing RBIs.

On the mound,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cade-flaherty/8420">Cade Flaherty</a>&nbsp;got the start, pitching 4.2 innings while allowing eight runs on seven hits. Despite the early struggles,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brandon-chavez/8417">Brandon Chavez</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brett-jacobs/8423">Brett Jacobs</a>&nbsp;provided solid relief, shutting down the Lions' offense and holding them scoreless after the seventh inning. However, Missouri Southern's Brayden Luikart proved to be the difference-maker, delivering a monster game with six RBIs on three hits, including two home runs, leading the Lions to victory.

Fort Hays State will look to bounce back tomorrow (March 10) for the rubber match between No. 25 Missouri Southern. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Larks Park.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741579200485.png" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State baseball put up a fight until the final out but fell short in a 12-10 loss to Missouri Southern on Sunday (March 9) at Larks Park. Despite a late surge in the ninth inning, the Tigers couldn't overcome the Lions' offensive firepower, dropping to 12-5 overall and 7-1 in MIAA play.Missouri Southern wasted no time jumping on the scoreboard, launching back-to-back solo home runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Fort Hays State threatened in the bottom half after a hit-by-pitch and a pair of singles loaded the bases, but the Tigers were unable to capitalize.In the third, Fort Hays State responded when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/derek-woolwine/8557">Derek Woolwine</a>&nbsp;blasted a two-run home run to right field, tying the game at 2-2. However, Missouri Southern reclaimed the lead in the fourth, stringing together walks and a clutch single up the middle to drive in two more runs, putting the Lions back on top 4-2.Fort Hays State erupted for five runs in the bottom of the fourth to take control of the game. The rally started with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/luis-ayala/8413">Luis Ayala</a>&nbsp;working a walk before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cooper-howell/8459">Cooper Howell</a>&nbsp;singled through the right side to put two runners aboard.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-kreutzer/8427">Brady Kreutzer</a>&nbsp;followed with an RBI single, cutting the deficit to 4-3.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/sebastian-burgos/8415">Sebastian Burgos</a>&nbsp;then delivered a crucial double to deep center, plating another run to tie the game at 4-4. With runners on second and third,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cesar-saavedra/8433">Cesar Saavedra</a>&nbsp;drove in the go-ahead run with a sharp single to right, giving the Tigers their first lead of the game at 5-4.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zane-knox/8426">Zane Knox</a>&nbsp;added an insurance run with a perfectly executed squeeze bunt to bring home Burgos before Woolwine capped off the rally with an RBI double down the line, extending the Tigers' advantage to 7-4.The lead didn't last long as Missouri Southern stormed back with a four-run fifth inning. After a leadoff double and a strikeout, the Lions strung together a walk and a single to load the bases. Chayton Beck brought home a run with a single, cutting the deficit to 7-5. The biggest blow came off the bat of Cy Darnell, who hit a three-run homer to left field, flipping the score once again as Missouri Southern pulled ahead 8-7.The Lions tacked on another run in the sixth with a bases-loaded walk, pushing the lead to 9-7. In the bottom half, Knox responded for Fort Hays State with a solo shot to right, cutting the gap to one at 9-8. Missouri Southern delivered another gut punch in the seventh when Brayden Luikart launched his second home run of the game, a three-run blast to left center, stretching the lead to 12-8.Trailing by four entering the final frame, Fort Hays State made one last push. Woolwine sparked the comeback with a leadoff double down the right-field line.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyson-jimenez/8424">Tyson Jimenez</a>&nbsp;came in as a pinch-runner and quickly advanced to third when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/8419">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;ripped a double to left. With one out, Ayala lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing Jimenez home and making it a 12-9 game. On the next pitch, Howell delivered another clutch sac fly to center, scoring DeGarmo and bringing the Tigers within two at 12-10. However, Missouri Southern's closer Kyle Moore managed to shut the door, getting a called third strike to end the game and deny the Tigers' comeback attempt.<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/derek-woolwine/8557">Derek Woolwine</a>&nbsp;led the Tigers with a stellar 4-for-5 performance, including a home run, a double, and three RBIs, providing a major spark for the Fort Hays State offense.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zane-knox/8426">Zane Knox</a>&nbsp;also played a key role, driving in two runs with a solo homer and executing a crucial sacrifice bunt. The Tigers showcased a balanced offensive attack, with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cesar-saavedra/8433">Cesar Saavedra</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cooper-howell/8459">Cooper Howell</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-kreutzer/8427">Brady Kreutzer</a>&nbsp;each contributing RBIs.On the mound,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cade-flaherty/8420">Cade Flaherty</a>&nbsp;got the start, pitching 4.2 innings while allowing eight runs on seven hits. Despite the early struggles,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brandon-chavez/8417">Brandon Chavez</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brett-jacobs/8423">Brett Jacobs</a>&nbsp;provided solid relief, shutting down the Lions' offense and holding them scoreless after the seventh inning. However, Missouri Southern's Brayden Luikart proved to be the difference-maker, delivering a monster game with six RBIs on three hits, including two home runs, leading the Lions to victory.UP NEXTFort Hays State will look to bounce back tomorrow (March 10) for the rubber match between No. 25 Missouri Southern. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Larks Park.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Late rally not enough for FHSU against No. 25 Missouri Southern

HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State softball team split a doubleheader with Missouri Western on Sunday (March 9), falling in the opener 8-0 before taking the second contest 4-1. The Tigers are now 11-5 overall and 3-1 in MIAA action while the Griffons move to 12-7 on the year and 1-1 in conference play.

<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/paige-thexton/8200">Paige Thexton</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/morgan-schmidt/8190">Morgan Schmidt</a>&nbsp;carried the Tigers in the nightcap, with Thexton driving in all four FHSU runs including a three-run home run while Schmidt tossed another complete game to earn the win.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/jules-bosco/8199">Jules Bosco</a>&nbsp;had three hits on the day while reaching base a total of five times.

Next up for the Tigers is eight-straight non-conference matchups starting Tuesday (March 11, 1 p.m./noon MT) when FHSU heads to Colorado Springs, Colo. to take on UC-Colorado Springs.

Game 1 - Missouri Western 8, Fort Hays State 0 Missouri Western's Sydney Rader controlled the opener, allowing just three hits and issuing two walks in a complete-game shutout. The Griffons broke through with four runs on three hits in the second before adding one run in the third and three more in the seventh.

Trailing 5-0 in the bottom of the sixth, the Tigers had their best chance to score with the bases loaded and only one out. But Rader was able to get out of the jam with two strikeouts to maintain the shutout.

Bosco reached base three times, singling, drawing one walk and reaching on an error.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/8187">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/madison-pierce/8188">Madison Pierce</a>&nbsp;also picked up singles in the opener.

<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savanah-egger/8183">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;(5-3) took the loss after allowing six runs on seven hits over 6.0-plus innings of work, striking out four.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/korryn-johnson/8197">Korryn Johnson</a>&nbsp;came on to finish the game, allowing two more runs to score.

Game 2 - Fort Hays State 4, Missouri Western 1 Fort Hays State shook off the loss in the second contest thanks in large part to Schmidt and Thexton. Schmidt puzzled the Griffon bats all game, scattering four hits and two walks while allowing one run and striking out seven in a complete game. She did not allow more than two baserunners in any inning.

The home team pushed its first run across in the bottom of the second after&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/8187">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;doubled to left center. Thexton later delivered a two-out single to right, driving in Mohr and giving FHSU a 1-0 lead.

Thexton then delivered another clutch two-out hit in the home half of the fourth when she crushed her first home run of the season, driving in three runs. Pierce had led off the inning with a double before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/regan-curry/8182">Regan Curry</a>&nbsp;legged out a bunt single. The next two Tiger hitters were retired, but Thexton was able to come through when she drilled a 3-2 pitch soaring over the fence in left field.

The Griffons responded with two base hits in the top of the fifth, scoring to close within 4-1, before Schmidt (6-2) retired eight in a row to close out the win.

Thexton was 2-for-2 with four RBI and one run, while Bosco also collected two hits.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741578951371.png" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Kaden Johnson" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Kaden Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State softball team split a doubleheader with Missouri Western on Sunday (March 9), falling in the opener 8-0 before taking the second contest 4-1. The Tigers are now 11-5 overall and 3-1 in MIAA action while the Griffons move to 12-7 on the year and 1-1 in conference play.<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/paige-thexton/8200">Paige Thexton</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/morgan-schmidt/8190">Morgan Schmidt</a>&nbsp;carried the Tigers in the nightcap, with Thexton driving in all four FHSU runs including a three-run home run while Schmidt tossed another complete game to earn the win.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/jules-bosco/8199">Jules Bosco</a>&nbsp;had three hits on the day while reaching base a total of five times.Next up for the Tigers is eight-straight non-conference matchups starting Tuesday (March 11, 1 p.m./noon MT) when FHSU heads to Colorado Springs, Colo. to take on UC-Colorado Springs.Game 1 - Missouri Western 8, Fort Hays State 0 Missouri Western's Sydney Rader controlled the opener, allowing just three hits and issuing two walks in a complete-game shutout. The Griffons broke through with four runs on three hits in the second before adding one run in the third and three more in the seventh.Trailing 5-0 in the bottom of the sixth, the Tigers had their best chance to score with the bases loaded and only one out. But Rader was able to get out of the jam with two strikeouts to maintain the shutout.Bosco reached base three times, singling, drawing one walk and reaching on an error.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/8187">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/madison-pierce/8188">Madison Pierce</a>&nbsp;also picked up singles in the opener.<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savanah-egger/8183">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;(5-3) took the loss after allowing six runs on seven hits over 6.0-plus innings of work, striking out four.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/korryn-johnson/8197">Korryn Johnson</a>&nbsp;came on to finish the game, allowing two more runs to score.Game 2 - Fort Hays State 4, Missouri Western 1 Fort Hays State shook off the loss in the second contest thanks in large part to Schmidt and Thexton. Schmidt puzzled the Griffon bats all game, scattering four hits and two walks while allowing one run and striking out seven in a complete game. She did not allow more than two baserunners in any inning.The home team pushed its first run across in the bottom of the second after&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/8187">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;doubled to left center. Thexton later delivered a two-out single to right, driving in Mohr and giving FHSU a 1-0 lead.Thexton then delivered another clutch two-out hit in the home half of the fourth when she crushed her first home run of the season, driving in three runs. Pierce had led off the inning with a double before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/regan-curry/8182">Regan Curry</a>&nbsp;legged out a bunt single. The next two Tiger hitters were retired, but Thexton was able to come through when she drilled a 3-2 pitch soaring over the fence in left field.The Griffons responded with two base hits in the top of the fifth, scoring to close within 4-1, before Schmidt (6-2) retired eight in a row to close out the win.Thexton was 2-for-2 with four RBI and one run, while Bosco also collected two hits.

🥎 Tigers split with Griffons

Carol Sue Hamby’s spirit entered the gates of heaven
on December 7, 2024 at the age of 73.

She fought a tough battle with bone cancer but
ultimately the side effects were too much for her body to handle.

She married her high school sweetheart James Douglas
Hamby and they recently celebrated 48 years of marriage. They have two amazing
boys, Landon James Hamby of Tucson, Arizona and Dustin Anthony Hamby of
Elizabeth, Colorado.

Carol graduated from Hays High School in 1970 and
then attended Fort Hays State University for two years. After she married and
moved to Colorado, she received her Real Estate License in 1984 and sold homes
for 16 years. Her husband, Doug designed and constructed custom homes and she
became his assistant and helped with the interior design.

Carol was a member of Pine Crest Community Church in
Elizabeth, Colorado. Her faith and love for the Lord guided her faith and she
was a true servant of His word.

Some of Carol’s and Doug’s happiest times were spent
in Los Cabos, Mexico where they had a time share. It gave them time to renew
their spirit away from the stresses of the construction business.

Being a grandmother to her four grandchildren
brought her such immense joy.&nbsp; She was blessed to be able to help care for
her two youngest grandchildren since they were babies.

Nature held a special place in Carol’s heart.&nbsp;
She found solace in tending to her flowers and plants.

Carol leaves a legacy of love and wonderful memories
to those who are still living. She is survived by her husband James Douglas
Hamby of Elizabeth, CO, two sons Landon James Hamby (Kayla) of Tucson, AZ, and
Dustin Anthony Hamby of Elizabeth, CO, and her grandchildren Bailey, Tyler,
Laney and Jameson. She was blessed to have a stepmother, Diana Fisher of Hays,
KS with her two sons Terry Rumback (Pam) of Wichita, KS and Mark Rumback of
Saint Louis, MO, her sisters Jolene Billinger (Greg) of Bakersfield, CA, Eilene
Rensing (Dave) of Lake Winnebago, MO, her brothers Terry Fisher (Sharon) of
Littleton, CO and Erin (Diane) Fisher of Brighton, CO, and many loving nieces
and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father Ralph
Fisher, mother Valerie Sander, and brothers, Thomas and Wayne Fisher.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday,
March 15, 2025 at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Pastor Russell
Kirkpatrick officiating.&nbsp; Inurnment will follow in Fort Hays Memorial
Gardens Cemetery.&nbsp; The family will receive friends from 9:30 am until
service time at the funeral home.&nbsp; Memorial contributions can be made to
Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of
Carol may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741539299501.jpeg" alt="Carol Sue Hamby" />
 <figcaption>Carol Sue Hamby</figcaption>
 </figure>Carol Sue Hamby’s spirit entered the gates of heaven
on December 7, 2024 at the age of 73.She fought a tough battle with bone cancer but
ultimately the side effects were too much for her body to handle.She married her high school sweetheart James Douglas
Hamby and they recently celebrated 48 years of marriage. They have two amazing
boys, Landon James Hamby of Tucson, Arizona and Dustin Anthony Hamby of
Elizabeth, Colorado.Carol graduated from Hays High School in 1970 and
then attended Fort Hays State University for two years. After she married and
moved to Colorado, she received her Real Estate License in 1984 and sold homes
for 16 years. Her husband, Doug designed and constructed custom homes and she
became his assistant and helped with the interior design.Carol was a member of Pine Crest Community Church in
Elizabeth, Colorado. Her faith and love for the Lord guided her faith and she
was a true servant of His word.Some of Carol’s and Doug’s happiest times were spent
in Los Cabos, Mexico where they had a time share. It gave them time to renew
their spirit away from the stresses of the construction business.Being a grandmother to her four grandchildren
brought her such immense joy.&nbsp; She was blessed to be able to help care for
her two youngest grandchildren since they were babies.Nature held a special place in Carol’s heart.&nbsp;
She found solace in tending to her flowers and plants.Carol leaves a legacy of love and wonderful memories
to those who are still living. She is survived by her husband James Douglas
Hamby of Elizabeth, CO, two sons Landon James Hamby (Kayla) of Tucson, AZ, and
Dustin Anthony Hamby of Elizabeth, CO, and her grandchildren Bailey, Tyler,
Laney and Jameson. She was blessed to have a stepmother, Diana Fisher of Hays,
KS with her two sons Terry Rumback (Pam) of Wichita, KS and Mark Rumback of
Saint Louis, MO, her sisters Jolene Billinger (Greg) of Bakersfield, CA, Eilene
Rensing (Dave) of Lake Winnebago, MO, her brothers Terry Fisher (Sharon) of
Littleton, CO and Erin (Diane) Fisher of Brighton, CO, and many loving nieces
and nephews.She was preceded in death by her father Ralph
Fisher, mother Valerie Sander, and brothers, Thomas and Wayne Fisher.Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday,
March 15, 2025 at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Pastor Russell
Kirkpatrick officiating.&nbsp; Inurnment will follow in Fort Hays Memorial
Gardens Cemetery.&nbsp; The family will receive friends from 9:30 am until
service time at the funeral home.&nbsp; Memorial contributions can be made to
Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of
Carol may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com

Carol Sue Hamby

Sunday, March 9 KJLS: Fort Hays State MBKB at MIAA Tournament (Finals), 12:30pm KJLS: Fort Hays State WBKB at MIAA Tournament (Finals), 3:05pm&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sunday, March 9 KJLS: Fort Hays State MBKB at MIAA Tournament (Finals), 12:30pm KJLS: Fort Hays State WBKB at MIAA Tournament (Finals), 3:05pm&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

By RANDY GONZALES Special to Hays Post

Another Kansas state high school wrestling season is in the books, and postseason basketball is in full swing.

This is the time of year that Dick Boyd lived for.

“Absolutely, he looked forward to covering these events,” said Lisa Pasilas, a former writer for Norton’s newspaper. “It didn’t matter how far away a game or tournament was being held, he was there.”

In a few months, it will be five years since Boyd’s passing. He is gone, but not forgotten.

Boyd, who owned the Norton Daily Telegram for 32 years and covered Norton and area sports for 50 years, died June 25, 2020 at the age of 83.

“Athletics,” as Boyd liked to call all sports, will never be the same after his passing, said co-workers, coaches and athletes who knew him.

Pasilas worked with Boyd for 10 years before leaving the paper a year ago.

As a child, she was a paper carrier and later helped out with the printing press as a teenager. Her family had newspaper ink in its blood. Her father was the press man until he retired, and her mother is still working at the paper after almost 54 years.

“There’s never going to be another Dick Boyd,” Pasilas said. “There’s never going to be anyone who is going to be like he was to this community for so many years.”

Boyd graduated from Mankato High School in 1955 and earned a football scholarship to Kansas State University. He was a two-year letterman for the Wildcats and was voted the team’s most inspirational player his senior year.

After serving in the U.S. Army and then working at the paper in Phillipsburg for eight years, Boyd and his wife, Mary Beth, bought the Telegram.

Boyd spent the next five decades covering not only sports, but also community activities in Norton and surrounding towns. He seemed to show up everywhere, with notebook in hand and an old camera hanging at his waist.

Boyd was old school, scribbling notes and writing his stories on a manual Underwood typewriter while taking photos with his old camera, looking head down at the view

On the return trip home from away games, Boyd would sometimes have his wife drive while he pecked away on the typewriter.

Coach Lucas Melvin said after the Bluejay football team’s game on a Friday night, Boyd would make his way over to the coach’s house the next morning. They could talk for hours, going over the game.

“He would come to my house every Saturday – unless there was a K-State game he was going to, then it was Sunday – just go over the stats and make sure he had everything right and ask me things about the game,” Melvin said.

As Boyd’s health began to decline, he still managed to make the trip to Melvin’s home.

“There were times he wasn’t feeling very well, and we prayed together,” Melvin said. “Dick said nobody ever did that for him.”

“Dick always did stuff for other people,” he added. “He didn’t (want) people (to take time) doing things for him.”

Boyd and his wife did take the time to instill his core beliefs in their children, Larry and Becky. The word “can’t”

was so antithetical to Boyd that he had it crossed out of the dictionary at home.

“I think the legacy he would want to leave behind is one of encouraging others to always strive to reach their goals, to never give up,” Pasilas said. “Dick didn’t believe in the word, ‘can’t.’ That kind of was a rule for his children growing up.”

Larry Boyd said he was around 10 years old when his dad gathered him and his sister around the family dictionary and crossed out the word.

“He sat us down and said the word ‘can’t’ is not to be used in our household,” Larry Boyd said. “That was part of his positive thinking.”

That can-do spirit led to Boyd starting a pigskin pick-em contest at the paper. After his death, the contest was renamed the Dick Boyd Memorial Pigskin Pick-em Contest in his honor.

“We felt that was what Dick would have wanted,” Pasilas said. “To me, looking back, it wouldn’t have felt right to do it any other way.”

The pick-em contest was part of Boyd’s enthusiasm for the Friday Night Lights. Sometimes, too much enthusiasm.

Boyd wanted to be close to the action, whether that be on the sideline at a football game or near the mat at a wrestling meet, or any other sport.

That enthusiasm led to an accident on the sideline during the 2019 state championship football game for the Bluejays. A jumble of players crashed into Boyd, and the injuries he sustained then along with his already failing health was too much to overcome.

“After that, he kind of went downhill with his health,” Melvin said. “That was the last Bluejay football game he was at.”

Former Norton wrestling coach Bill Johnson said Boyd could be “boisterous” in his coverage of Bluejay sports.

Johnson remembered one time at the state wrestling tournament that Boyd approached the referee after a Bluejay wrestler lost a close match, and one of the tournament officials took Boyd’s press pass away for the rest of the day. He managed to get it back the next day.

At the team banquet at the end of the season, Johnson teased Boyd by presenting him with a get-out-of-jail card.

It was all in good fun, coming from the respect Boyd enjoyed with Norton coaches, players and fans. Like he did with Melvin, Boyd would get together with Johnson following a tournament to gather information and show the coach photos for him to identify.

“It was a good bonding time and I really do miss those

times,” Johnson said, adding that Boyd treated all sports the same.

“He tried to treat them equally,” Johnson said. “Dick tried to treat all athletes in Norton the same.”

Pasilas remembers firsthand that equal treatment. She competed as a baton twirler as a youth, and Boyd covered her as if she were the starting quarterback on the football team.

“He wanted to be there to capture those moments,” Pasilas said. “I’m thankful for that.”

“Everything is becoming online, social media,” she added. “We’re falling away from getting a newspaper, searching for your child’s picture, cutting it out, putting it in a scrapbook. I’m thankful I had that in my childhood.”

Scott Sansom had what could have been the thankless task of taking over reporting sports for the newspaper after Boyd’s death. Wanting to be a photographer, he also ended up writing as well as taking pictures at the paper a few months before Boyd died.

“I had very limited journalism experience,” Sansom said. “Luckily, I got great advice from the other employees at the Telegram and from Dick.”

Still, Sansom admitted to a case of nerves taking over for Boyd.

“I was a little scared stepping into that position after him,” Sansom said. “I can’t say enough about the community and the support I received.”

Boyd not only covered Norton sports, he was a big booster of everything Bluejay.

“He was a diehard Bluejay supporter,” said Jeff Boyle, a 1997 Norton High graduate who played football, wrestled and was on the track and field team. “He was good to everybody he was around.”

“I think if it was somebody different than Dick, it would have been a totally different vibe, different attitude,” he added. “He always wanted to be there, be a part of it, see it with his own eyes. That was pretty cool.”

Boyd would do whatever it took to get a photo.

“He was fearless at times the way he took pictures,” said Neal Philpot, a 2000 Norton graduate and another three-sport athlete. “He got right in the middle of the action.”

“He’s sitting right there in the hot spot in the discus ring,” he added. “He got great action shots.”

After the sideline accident at the football game in 2019, Boyd died seven months later.

At the height of COVID-19 in the summer of 2020, there was an outdoor memorial service a few weeks later at the football field. Among those speaking at the three-hour service were coaches and former Bluejay players.

“Ultimately fitting,” Melvin said of having the service at Travis Field. “Dick loved football.”

Johnson remembers speaking at the service.

“It was a great honor to speak about Dick, how he impacted me as a young coach,” Johnson said. “He treated me like a Super Bowl champion coach the first year I got here.”

Notebooks were handed out at the memorial service with a photo of Boyd in his ever-present shirt and tie on the front cover along with three rules he lived by: always carry a notepad; remove the word “can’t” from the dictionary; and report on the positives.

“I can’t imagine how many notepads he went through in his lifetime,” Pasilas said.

Two years after his death, the booster club was instrumental in making Dick Boyd Stadium become a reality at Travis Field. Before a football game in 2022, a sign in Boyd’s honor was unveiled on the wall of the press box.

“It’s a great tribute to him,” Johnson said. “We were very fortunate and blessed to have him for all those years.”

“Dick Boyd was one of a kind,” he added. “I don’t know if we’ll see anyone with the passion and work ethic again.”

Boyd was known for showing up late, perhaps from having too many irons in the fire.

“Usually he was speeding to get there,” Pasilas said. “He was notoriously late for things.”

But once he was at a game, Boyd was there to chronicle it for the Telegram’s readers for five decades.

“Dick touched more lives,” Pasilas said, “than we could possibly know.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741371845118.jpeg" alt="Longtime newspaper man Dick Boyd pictured during this younger days on the left and with his constant companion (his camera) on the right. The center pic shows a notebook friends and family made for his memorial service that was imprinted with the three rules he lived by. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Longtime newspaper man Dick Boyd pictured during this younger days on the left and with his constant companion (his camera) on the right. The center pic shows a notebook friends and family made for his memorial service that was imprinted with the three rules he lived by. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741372362876.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By RANDY GONZALES Special to Hays PostAnother Kansas state high school wrestling season is in the books, and postseason basketball is in full swing.This is the time of year that Dick Boyd lived for.“Absolutely, he looked forward to covering these events,” said Lisa Pasilas, a former writer for Norton’s newspaper. “It didn’t matter how far away a game or tournament was being held, he was there.”In a few months, it will be five years since Boyd’s passing. He is gone, but not forgotten.Boyd, who owned the Norton Daily Telegram for 32 years and covered Norton and area sports for 50 years, died June 25, 2020 at the age of 83.“Athletics,” as Boyd liked to call all sports, will never be the same after his passing, said co-workers, coaches and athletes who knew him.Pasilas worked with Boyd for 10 years before leaving the paper a year ago.As a child, she was a paper carrier and later helped out with the printing press as a teenager. Her family had newspaper ink in its blood. Her father was the press man until he retired, and her mother is still working at the paper after almost 54 years.Pasilas said Boyd was one of a kind.“There’s never going to be another Dick Boyd,” Pasilas said. “There’s never going to be anyone who is going to be like he was to this community for so many years.”Boyd graduated from Mankato High School in 1955 and earned a football scholarship to Kansas State University. He was a two-year letterman for the Wildcats and was voted the team’s most inspirational player his senior year.<h2>The old-school way</h2>After serving in the U.S. Army and then working at the paper in Phillipsburg for eight years, Boyd and his wife, Mary Beth, bought the Telegram.Boyd spent the next five decades covering not only sports, but also community activities in Norton and surrounding towns. He seemed to show up everywhere, with notebook in hand and an old camera hanging at his waist.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741371988323.jpeg" alt="Dick Boyd used these two old-time cameras for much of his newspaper career at the Norton Daily Telegram, the Yashicka, left, and the Rolleiflex. Courtesy photo/Larry Boyd" />
 <figcaption>Dick Boyd used these two old-time cameras for much of his newspaper career at the Norton Daily Telegram, the Yashicka, left, and the Rolleiflex. Courtesy photo/Larry Boyd</figcaption>
 </figure>Boyd was old school, scribbling notes and writing his stories on a manual Underwood typewriter while taking photos with his old camera, looking head down at the viewfinder before snapping a pictureOn the return trip home from away games, Boyd would sometimes have his wife drive while he pecked away on the typewriter.Coach Lucas Melvin said after the Bluejay football team’s game on a Friday night, Boyd would make his way over to the coach’s house the next morning. They could talk for hours, going over the game.“He would come to my house every Saturday – unless there was a K-State game he was going to, then it was Sunday – just go over the stats and make sure he had everything right and ask me things about the game,” Melvin said.As Boyd’s health began to decline, he still managed to make the trip to Melvin’s home.“There were times he wasn’t feeling very well, and we prayed together,” Melvin said. “Dick said nobody ever did that for him.”“Dick always did stuff for other people,” he added. “He didn’t (want) people (to take time) doing things for him.”<h2>No such thing as “can’t”</h2>Boyd and his wife did take the time to instill his core beliefs in their children, Larry and Becky. The word “can’t”was so antithetical to Boyd that he had it crossed out of the dictionary at home.“I think the legacy he would want to leave behind is one of encouraging others to always strive to reach their goals, to never give up,” Pasilas said. “Dick didn’t believe in the word, ‘can’t.’ That kind of was a rule for his children growing up.”Larry Boyd said he was around 10 years old when his dad gathered him and his sister around the family dictionary and crossed out the word.“He sat us down and said the word ‘can’t’ is not to be used in our household,” Larry Boyd said. “That was part of his positive thinking.”That can-do spirit led to Boyd starting a pigskin pick-em contest at the paper. After his death, the contest was renamed the Dick Boyd Memorial Pigskin Pick-em Contest in his honor.“We felt that was what Dick would have wanted,” Pasilas said. “To me, looking back, it wouldn’t have felt right to do it any other way.”The pick-em contest was part of Boyd’s enthusiasm for the Friday Night Lights. Sometimes, too much enthusiasm.<h2>Getting close to the action</h2>Boyd wanted to be close to the action, whether that be on the sideline at a football game or near the mat at a wrestling meet, or any other sport.That enthusiasm led to an accident on the sideline during the 2019 state championship football game for the Bluejays. A jumble of players crashed into Boyd, and the injuries he sustained then along with his already failing health was too much to overcome.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741372090059.jpeg" alt="Dick Boyd played football for Kansas State University, where he was a two-year letter winner and was voted the team’s most inspirational player his senior year. Courtesy photo/Norton Telegram" />
 <figcaption>Dick Boyd played football for Kansas State University, where he was a two-year letter winner and was voted the team’s most inspirational player his senior year. Courtesy photo/Norton Telegram</figcaption>
 </figure>“After that, he kind of went downhill with his health,” Melvin said. “That was the last Bluejay football game he was at.”Former Norton wrestling coach Bill Johnson said Boyd could be “boisterous” in his coverage of Bluejay sports.Johnson remembered one time at the state wrestling tournament that Boyd approached the referee after a Bluejay wrestler lost a close match, and one of the tournament officials took Boyd’s press pass away for the rest of the day. He managed to get it back the next day.At the team banquet at the end of the season, Johnson teased Boyd by presenting him with a get-out-of-jail card.It was all in good fun, coming from the respect Boyd enjoyed with Norton coaches, players and fans. Like he did with Melvin, Boyd would get together with Johnson following a tournament to gather information and show the coach photos for him to identify.“It was a good bonding time and I really do miss thosetimes,” Johnson said, adding that Boyd treated all sports the same.“He tried to treat them equally,” Johnson said. “Dick tried to treat all athletes in Norton the same.”Pasilas remembers firsthand that equal treatment. She competed as a baton twirler as a youth, and Boyd covered her as if she were the starting quarterback on the football team.“He wanted to be there to capture those moments,” Pasilas said. “I’m thankful for that.”“Everything is becoming online, social media,” she added. “We’re falling away from getting a newspaper, searching for your child’s picture, cutting it out, putting it in a scrapbook. I’m thankful I had that in my childhood.”<h2>‘Athletics’ coverage after Boyd</h2>Scott Sansom had what could have been the thankless task of taking over reporting sports for the newspaper after Boyd’s death. Wanting to be a photographer, he also ended up writing as well as taking pictures at the paper a few months before Boyd died.“I had very limited journalism experience,” Sansom said. “Luckily, I got great advice from the other employees at the Telegram and from Dick.”Still, Sansom admitted to a case of nerves taking over for Boyd.“I was a little scared stepping into that position after him,” Sansom said. “I can’t say enough about the community and the support I received.”Boyd not only covered Norton sports, he was a big booster of everything Bluejay.“He was a diehard Bluejay supporter,” said Jeff Boyle, a 1997 Norton High graduate who played football, wrestled and was on the track and field team. “He was good to everybody he was around.”“I think if it was somebody different than Dick, it would have been a totally different vibe, different attitude,” he added. “He always wanted to be there, be a part of it, see it with his own eyes. That was pretty cool.”Boyd would do whatever it took to get a photo.“He was fearless at times the way he took pictures,” said Neal Philpot, a 2000 Norton graduate and another three-sport athlete. “He got right in the middle of the action.”“He’s sitting right there in the hot spot in the discus ring,” he added. “He got great action shots.”After the sideline accident at the football game in 2019, Boyd died seven months later.At the height of COVID-19 in the summer of 2020, there was an outdoor memorial service a few weeks later at the football field. Among those speaking at the three-hour service were coaches and former Bluejay players.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741372191401.jpeg" alt="The Norton Telegram had a front page story on the memorial service for Dick Boyd, the paper’s former owner who covered Norton sporting events for 50 years. Courtesy photo/Norton Telegram" />
 <figcaption>The Norton Telegram had a front page story on the memorial service for Dick Boyd, the paper’s former owner who covered Norton sporting events for 50 years. Courtesy photo/Norton Telegram</figcaption>
 </figure>“Ultimately fitting,” Melvin said of having the service at Travis Field. “Dick loved football.”Johnson remembers speaking at the service.“It was a great honor to speak about Dick, how he impacted me as a young coach,” Johnson said. “He treated me like a Super Bowl champion coach the first year I got here.”Notebooks were handed out at the memorial service with a photo of Boyd in his ever-present shirt and tie on the front cover along with three rules he lived by: always carry a notepad; remove the word “can’t” from the dictionary; and report on the positives.“I can’t imagine how many notepads he went through in his lifetime,” Pasilas said.<h2>Football stadium named after Boyd</h2>Two years after his death, the booster club was instrumental in making Dick Boyd Stadium become a reality at Travis Field. Before a football game in 2022, a sign in Boyd’s honor was unveiled on the wall of the press box.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741372263376.jpeg" alt="In 2022, Dick Boyd was honored with the naming of Dick Boyd Stadium, home of Travis Field in Norton. A banner in his honor hung from the wall of the press box. Courtesy photo/Norton Telegram" />
 <figcaption>In 2022, Dick Boyd was honored with the naming of Dick Boyd Stadium, home of Travis Field in Norton. A banner in his honor hung from the wall of the press box. Courtesy photo/Norton Telegram</figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s a great tribute to him,” Johnson said. “We were very fortunate and blessed to have him for all those years.”“Dick Boyd was one of a kind,” he added. “I don’t know if we’ll see anyone with the passion and work ethic again.”Boyd was known for showing up late, perhaps from having too many irons in the fire.“Usually he was speeding to get there,” Pasilas said. “He was notoriously late for things.”But once he was at a game, Boyd was there to chronicle it for the Telegram’s readers for five decades.“Dick touched more lives,” Pasilas said, “than we could possibly know.”

NWester: Dick Boyd’s ‘write stuff’ covered five decades

HOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NOTES WEEK OF March 10 – 14, 2025

THE SUCCESSES OF TOMORROW BEGIN TODAY, CATHOLIC EDUCATION IS A LIFETIME ADVANTAGE!

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS…. SCHOOLS YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!

--March 10 •&nbsp;2nd Grade has Silly Sock Day today for a feed the pig prize.

•&nbsp;Hourly staff timesheets are due this morning to Ms. Karla in the office. •&nbsp;FHSU Foundations of Ed students will be observing classrooms 12:30-1:20. •&nbsp;Our last Home &amp; School Mtg of the year will be at 7:00 p.m. in L.T. •&nbsp;Happy Birthday to Jade Drohman, PK3.

•&nbsp;Happy Birthday to Keely Ford, 3A, and Lana Schmeidler, 3B.

•&nbsp;Spirit Day. •&nbsp;4th Grade Team Day for a feed the pig prize. •&nbsp;It’s our HFE Jalisco Fundraising Day all day! We hope you can enjoy Jalisco for dinner and support the school! All orders all day, dine-in or carry-out, will give a % back to HFE! •&nbsp;Early Release Day, and students will dismiss at 1:15 p.m.&nbsp; •&nbsp;Dominic Savio Club will meet again after school today. •&nbsp;The Faculty will meet in the Library after dismissal for a presentation from Noalee. •&nbsp;Creative Writing Contest entries are due to the office at 4:00 p.m. for the H.A.C. •&nbsp;Happy Birthday to Jacob Whitmer, 1B, &amp; Kennedi Crathorne, 4B.&nbsp;&nbsp;

•&nbsp;March Birthday Mass &amp; Lunch. •&nbsp;TMP Students will visit 4B this morning. •&nbsp;Sr. Rose Marie will visit 5th grade this afternoon.

•&nbsp;Kindergarten Sweats &amp; Team Shirt Day for a feed the pig prize. •&nbsp;5th Grade Mix-it and Match-it Day today for a feed the pig prize. •&nbsp;Stations of the Cross at 2:35 p.m. at IHM. •&nbsp;Next week is SPRING BREAK so we will not have school! We hope you all have a safe, wonderful break full of rest and fun! •&nbsp;Greetings to all celebrating a birthday over Spring Break: Lyla Fox, 1B, Finley Patterson, 2B, Miden Pfannenstiel, 3B, Twynn Tetuan, 5A, Lydia Schmeidler, PK4, Victoria Heimann, 2B, Ryker Staab, 3B, Kenton Randa, 5B, Lahna Denton, 2B, and Mrs. Devann Fischer, School Psychologist

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613660020276.png" alt="Holy Family Elementary School, Hays. File photo/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Holy Family Elementary School, Hays. File photo/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>HFEHOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NOTES WEEK OF March 10 – 14, 2025THE SUCCESSES OF TOMORROW BEGIN TODAY, CATHOLIC EDUCATION IS A LIFETIME ADVANTAGE!CATHOLIC SCHOOLS…. SCHOOLS YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!MONDAY--March 10 •&nbsp;2nd Grade has Silly Sock Day today for a feed the pig prize.•&nbsp;Hourly staff timesheets are due this morning to Ms. Karla in the office. •&nbsp;FHSU Foundations of Ed students will be observing classrooms 12:30-1:20. •&nbsp;Our last Home &amp; School Mtg of the year will be at 7:00 p.m. in L.T. •&nbsp;Happy Birthday to Jade Drohman, PK3.TUESDAY--March 11•&nbsp;Happy Birthday to Keely Ford, 3A, and Lana Schmeidler, 3B.WEDNESDAY--March 12 •&nbsp;Spirit Day. •&nbsp;4th Grade Team Day for a feed the pig prize. •&nbsp;It’s our HFE Jalisco Fundraising Day all day! We hope you can enjoy Jalisco for dinner and support the school! All orders all day, dine-in or carry-out, will give a % back to HFE! •&nbsp;Early Release Day, and students will dismiss at 1:15 p.m.&nbsp; •&nbsp;Dominic Savio Club will meet again after school today. •&nbsp;The Faculty will meet in the Library after dismissal for a presentation from Noalee. •&nbsp;Creative Writing Contest entries are due to the office at 4:00 p.m. for the H.A.C. •&nbsp;Happy Birthday to Jacob Whitmer, 1B, &amp; Kennedi Crathorne, 4B.&nbsp;&nbsp; THURSDAY--March 13•&nbsp;March Birthday Mass &amp; Lunch. •&nbsp;TMP Students will visit 4B this morning. •&nbsp;Sr. Rose Marie will visit 5th grade this afternoon.FRIDAY--March 14•&nbsp;Kindergarten Sweats &amp; Team Shirt Day for a feed the pig prize. •&nbsp;5th Grade Mix-it and Match-it Day today for a feed the pig prize. •&nbsp;Stations of the Cross at 2:35 p.m. at IHM. •&nbsp;Next week is SPRING BREAK so we will not have school! We hope you all have a safe, wonderful break full of rest and fun! •&nbsp;Greetings to all celebrating a birthday over Spring Break: Lyla Fox, 1B, Finley Patterson, 2B, Miden Pfannenstiel, 3B, Twynn Tetuan, 5A, Lydia Schmeidler, PK4, Victoria Heimann, 2B, Ryker Staab, 3B, Kenton Randa, 5B, Lahna Denton, 2B, and Mrs. Devann Fischer, School Psychologist

Holy Family Elementary School notes, March 10-14, 2025

Hays traveled to Andover on Saturday trying to punch their ticket to the 5A State Basketball Tournament.&nbsp;

The score was tight early. The game was tied at three points a piece and then Hays took their only lead of the game at 6-5. The two teams were tied one more time in the first half at eight. The Indians though scored just two points over the next 6:15. Andover took advantage with a 15-2 run for a 27-13 lead.

The run proved to be the difference the rest of the way.&nbsp;

Andover hit seven three pointers in the first half on just twelve attempts. Hays did shoot 47% in the first half but the Trojans shot 60% from the field for a 32-18 lead at halftime.

Andover kept the Indians at arms length through out the second half. Hays cut a 19 point deficit down to 12 at one point but missed a layup to get any closer. The Trojans converted on a three point play the next possession for a 42-27 lead.

Hays trailed by 17 going to fourth quarter and never got closer than 14 in the 62-40 loss.

Hays (13-9) ends the season with five seniors playing their final game. Andover (19-3) heads to the state tournament for the ninth time.

Tiger Johnson ended the season with 50 made three point field goals, second most in a single season at Hays High.

Carter Lang 1; Johnny Cano 3; Trace Jacobs 0; Cooper Lindenmeyer 3; Trey Oakley 11; Tiger Johnson 6; Brody Harmony 0; Izaac Fox 10; Noah Smalley 0; Brecken Otte 0; Dawson Ruder 5; Alex Loving 2.

Hays traveled to Andover on Saturday trying to punch their ticket to the 5A State Basketball Tournament.&nbsp;The score was tight early. The game was tied at three points a piece and then Hays took their only lead of the game at 6-5. The two teams were tied one more time in the first half at eight. The Indians though scored just two points over the next 6:15. Andover took advantage with a 15-2 run for a 27-13 lead.The run proved to be the difference the rest of the way.&nbsp;Andover hit seven three pointers in the first half on just twelve attempts. Hays did shoot 47% in the first half but the Trojans shot 60% from the field for a 32-18 lead at halftime.Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2049988388&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/hhs-mbkb-vs-andover-highlights" title="HHS MBKB vs Andover Highlights March 8 2025" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HHS MBKB vs Andover Highlights March 8 2025</a></div></div>Andover kept the Indians at arms length through out the second half. Hays cut a 19 point deficit down to 12 at one point but missed a layup to get any closer. The Trojans converted on a three point play the next possession for a 42-27 lead.Hays trailed by 17 going to fourth quarter and never got closer than 14 in the 62-40 loss.Coach Sean Dreiling<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2049988540&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/hhs-coach-sean-dreiling" title="HHS Coach Sean Dreiling Interview March 8 2025" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HHS Coach Sean Dreiling Interview March 8 2025</a></div></div>Hays (13-9) ends the season with five seniors playing their final game. Andover (19-3) heads to the state tournament for the ninth time.Tiger Johnson ended the season with 50 made three point field goals, second most in a single season at Hays High.Carter Lang 1; Johnny Cano 3; Trace Jacobs 0; Cooper Lindenmeyer 3; Trey Oakley 11; Tiger Johnson 6; Brody Harmony 0; Izaac Fox 10; Noah Smalley 0; Brecken Otte 0; Dawson Ruder 5; Alex Loving 2.

🏀 Hays season ends in Andover

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The ninth-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team avenged a pair of regular season losses against Missouri Western with a 77-73 win in the semifinal round of the 2025 MIAA Championship presented by Southern Bank on Saturday.

With the win the Tigers (27-3) will move on to the conference tournament title game on Sunday afternoon where they will face off with No. 8 Pittsburg State for the second consecutive season. The women's game is scheduled to tip off at 3:30 p.m. after the Tiger men take on Central Oklahoma in the other conference championship game beginning at 1 p.m.

The Griffons (20-9) quickly built an eight-point lead in the first quarter after pouring in 3-of-6 from behind the arc in the opening quarter. A pair of Talexa Weeter&nbsp;3-pointers allowed the Tigers to close within two by the end of the first frame, 19-17.

After scoring six points in the opening quarter, Katie Wagner, Katie DeGarmo quickly added five points in the first 62 seconds of the second frame to give the Tigers their first lead of the day, 22-19. Missouri Western later tied the score at 26 before a 3-pointer from Bailey Wilborn&nbsp;gave FHSU the lead for good midway through the second quarter.

Ellie Stearns&nbsp;added a 3-pointer soon after while Weeter hit two more layups, giving the sophomore 14 first-half points and stretching the Tiger lead as high as eight. But the Griffons were able to end the quarter on a 5-0 run, holding FHSU scoreless for more than four minutes to pull within 36-33 at the break.

Fort Hays State methodically pushed its lead back to eight midway through the third before a quick 6-0 Griffon run made it a two-point game, 46-44. The graduate student duo of DeGarmo and Olivia Hollenbeck&nbsp;answered with their own six-point run, padding the lead back to eight.

DeGarmo scored on the first possession of the fourth quarter, pushing the lead to double figures for the first time, 58-48. Fort Hays State later led by as many as 14, 64-50, with 7:25 to play.

No strangers to shaking off double-digit deficits against the Tigers after doing so twice in the regular season, the Griffons weren't done. Missouri Western poured in 4-of-7 from behind the arc down the stretch, helping the Griffons pull within one possession with 11 seconds to go.

Thanks to a 7-of-9 effort from the free-throw line over the final 63 seconds of action the Tigers were able to hold off the Griffon run once and for all.

The Tigers combined to shoot 51.7 percent from the floor (30-of-58), shooting 50 percent or better for the fourth time in the last five games and doing so for the 11th time this season.

DeGarmo led the team with 25 points and eight rebounds while finishing second on the squad with a season-high seven assists. The Maize, Kan. native now has 106 rebounds in 13 MIAA tournament games, tied for the most in a career in tournament history (Kathryn Flott, ESU, 2012-17). She also has 211 points in those games, two off the MIAA tournament scoring record (213 points, Shelley Foster, WU, 1992-95).Two days after racking up a career-high 35 points, fourth-most in a game in tournament history, Weeter racked up 21 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks against the Griffons. Wilborn recorded 10 points, three assists and two steals after knocking down 3-of-5 from behind the arc, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/brooke-loewe/8331">Brooke Loewe</a>&nbsp;distributed eight assists alongside seven points. Stearns hit a pair from behind the arc, totaling six points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

The Griffons also had a pair surpass the 20-point threshold, with first team All-MIAA pick Alyssa Bonilla totaling 26 points on five 3-pointers while Laura Toffali contributed 21 points.

The Tigers will play in the finals for the sixth time in the last eight tournaments, three more than any other school during that span. FHSU's seven appearances in the conference title game since joining the MIAA 19 years ago are second only to Emporia State during that span (nine).&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741496347648.png" alt="Fort Hays State's Katie DeGarmo (23) drives to basket while being defended by Missouri Western State's Malgorzata Byczkowska (33) in the first half of the MIAA Tournament semifinals on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Katie DeGarmo (23) drives to basket while being defended by Missouri Western State's Malgorzata Byczkowska (33) in the first half of the MIAA Tournament semifinals on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsKANSAS CITY, Mo. - The ninth-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team avenged a pair of regular season losses against Missouri Western with a 77-73 win in the semifinal round of the 2025 MIAA Championship presented by Southern Bank on Saturday.With the win the Tigers (27-3) will move on to the conference tournament title game on Sunday afternoon where they will face off with No. 8 Pittsburg State for the second consecutive season. The women's game is scheduled to tip off at 3:30 p.m. after the Tiger men take on Central Oklahoma in the other conference championship game beginning at 1 p.m.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2050015304&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/talia-kahrs-postgame-v" title="#9 FHSU WBB Postgame Press Conference vs. Missouri Western State (March 8, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">#9 FHSU WBB Postgame Press Conference vs. Missouri Western State (March 8, 2025)</a></div></div>The Griffons (20-9) quickly built an eight-point lead in the first quarter after pouring in 3-of-6 from behind the arc in the opening quarter. A pair of Talexa Weeter&nbsp;3-pointers allowed the Tigers to close within two by the end of the first frame, 19-17.After scoring six points in the opening quarter, Katie Wagner, Katie DeGarmo quickly added five points in the first 62 seconds of the second frame to give the Tigers their first lead of the day, 22-19. Missouri Western later tied the score at 26 before a 3-pointer from Bailey Wilborn&nbsp;gave FHSU the lead for good midway through the second quarter.Ellie Stearns&nbsp;added a 3-pointer soon after while Weeter hit two more layups, giving the sophomore 14 first-half points and stretching the Tiger lead as high as eight. But the Griffons were able to end the quarter on a 5-0 run, holding FHSU scoreless for more than four minutes to pull within 36-33 at the break.Fort Hays State methodically pushed its lead back to eight midway through the third before a quick 6-0 Griffon run made it a two-point game, 46-44. The graduate student duo of DeGarmo and Olivia Hollenbeck&nbsp;answered with their own six-point run, padding the lead back to eight.DeGarmo scored on the first possession of the fourth quarter, pushing the lead to double figures for the first time, 58-48. Fort Hays State later led by as many as 14, 64-50, with 7:25 to play.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2050024424&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-wbkb-highlights-v" title="#9 Fort Hays State WBB Highlights vs. Missouri Western State (March 8, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">#9 Fort Hays State WBB Highlights vs. Missouri Western State (March 8, 2025)</a></div></div>No strangers to shaking off double-digit deficits against the Tigers after doing so twice in the regular season, the Griffons weren't done. Missouri Western poured in 4-of-7 from behind the arc down the stretch, helping the Griffons pull within one possession with 11 seconds to go.Thanks to a 7-of-9 effort from the free-throw line over the final 63 seconds of action the Tigers were able to hold off the Griffon run once and for all.The Tigers combined to shoot 51.7 percent from the floor (30-of-58), shooting 50 percent or better for the fourth time in the last five games and doing so for the 11th time this season.DeGarmo led the team with 25 points and eight rebounds while finishing second on the squad with a season-high seven assists. The Maize, Kan. native now has 106 rebounds in 13 MIAA tournament games, tied for the most in a career in tournament history (Kathryn Flott, ESU, 2012-17). She also has 211 points in those games, two off the MIAA tournament scoring record (213 points, Shelley Foster, WU, 1992-95).Two days after racking up a career-high 35 points, fourth-most in a game in tournament history, Weeter racked up 21 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks against the Griffons. Wilborn recorded 10 points, three assists and two steals after knocking down 3-of-5 from behind the arc, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/brooke-loewe/8331">Brooke Loewe</a>&nbsp;distributed eight assists alongside seven points. Stearns hit a pair from behind the arc, totaling six points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.The Griffons also had a pair surpass the 20-point threshold, with first team All-MIAA pick Alyssa Bonilla totaling 26 points on five 3-pointers while Laura Toffali contributed 21 points.UP NEXTThe Tigers will play in the finals for the sixth time in the last eight tournaments, three more than any other school during that span. FHSU's seven appearances in the conference title game since joining the MIAA 19 years ago are second only to Emporia State during that span (nine).&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 No. 9 Tigers vanquish Griffons, advance to MIAA title game

&nbsp; HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State baseball continued its dominant start to conference play with an emphatic 11-7 victory over No. 25 Missouri Southern on Saturday at Larks Park. A seven-run first inning set the tone early, and despite a late push from the Lions, the Tigers controlled the game from start to finish to remain undefeated in MIAA action.

The Tigers wasted no time jumping on Missouri Southern, capitalizing on early pitching struggles to plate seven runs in the opening frame.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/elliott-herrmann/8422">Elliott Herrmann</a>&nbsp;led the offensive charge, launching two home runs and driving in three runs, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-kreutzer/8427">Brady Kreutzer</a>&nbsp;delivered the biggest blow of the night with a grand slam on the first pitch he saw, part of his six-RBI performance.

On the mound,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ty-riley/8431">Ty Riley</a>&nbsp;(5-0) delivered another strong outing, keeping the Lions' offense in check for most of the night. The right-hander worked 6.1 innings, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking three.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/kaleb-carpenter/8453">Kaleb Carpenter</a>&nbsp;took over in the seventh and held firm despite some late pressure from Missouri Southern. The junior righty pitched the final 2.2 innings, giving up three runs on four hits while striking out three to close out the win.

Missouri Southern struggled to generate offense early but attempted a comeback in the later innings. Ethan Clark provided the biggest highlight for the Lions with a three-run homer in the ninth, cutting into the Tigers' lead. Drew Townsend was a bright spot, going 3-for-5 with three runs scored, while Brayden Luikart and Jacob Filip each contributed an RBI. However, Fort Hays State's pitching and defense held firm, preventing the Lions from mounting a full comeback.

Fort Hays State's lineup proved relentless, tallying 12 hits and showing depth throughout the order. Seven of the nine starters recorded at least one hit, while five collected multiple knocks.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cesar-saavedra/8433">Cesar Saavedra</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zane-knox/8426">Zane Knox</a>, Herrmann,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cooper-howell/8459">Cooper Howell</a>, and Kreutzer all had multi-hit performances, providing steady production up and down the lineup.

With the win, Fort Hays State improves to 12-4 overall and 7-0 in MIAA play, maintaining its perfect conference record. The Tigers will look to extend their winning streak and complete the series sweep when they return to action on Sunday at 2 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741481151321.png" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Athletics&nbsp; HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State baseball continued its dominant start to conference play with an emphatic 11-7 victory over No. 25 Missouri Southern on Saturday at Larks Park. A seven-run first inning set the tone early, and despite a late push from the Lions, the Tigers controlled the game from start to finish to remain undefeated in MIAA action.The Tigers wasted no time jumping on Missouri Southern, capitalizing on early pitching struggles to plate seven runs in the opening frame.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/elliott-herrmann/8422">Elliott Herrmann</a>&nbsp;led the offensive charge, launching two home runs and driving in three runs, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-kreutzer/8427">Brady Kreutzer</a>&nbsp;delivered the biggest blow of the night with a grand slam on the first pitch he saw, part of his six-RBI performance.On the mound,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ty-riley/8431">Ty Riley</a>&nbsp;(5-0) delivered another strong outing, keeping the Lions' offense in check for most of the night. The right-hander worked 6.1 innings, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking three.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/kaleb-carpenter/8453">Kaleb Carpenter</a>&nbsp;took over in the seventh and held firm despite some late pressure from Missouri Southern. The junior righty pitched the final 2.2 innings, giving up three runs on four hits while striking out three to close out the win.Missouri Southern struggled to generate offense early but attempted a comeback in the later innings. Ethan Clark provided the biggest highlight for the Lions with a three-run homer in the ninth, cutting into the Tigers' lead. Drew Townsend was a bright spot, going 3-for-5 with three runs scored, while Brayden Luikart and Jacob Filip each contributed an RBI. However, Fort Hays State's pitching and defense held firm, preventing the Lions from mounting a full comeback.Fort Hays State's lineup proved relentless, tallying 12 hits and showing depth throughout the order. Seven of the nine starters recorded at least one hit, while five collected multiple knocks.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cesar-saavedra/8433">Cesar Saavedra</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zane-knox/8426">Zane Knox</a>, Herrmann,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cooper-howell/8459">Cooper Howell</a>, and Kreutzer all had multi-hit performances, providing steady production up and down the lineup.With the win, Fort Hays State improves to 12-4 overall and 7-0 in MIAA play, maintaining its perfect conference record. The Tigers will look to extend their winning streak and complete the series sweep when they return to action on Sunday at 2 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Kreutzer grand slam carries Tigers past No. 25 Missouri Southern

&nbsp;HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State softball team opened conference play Saturday with a pair of come-from-behind wins over Central Missouri, winning the opener 6-5 in walk-off fashion before taking the second contest 5-4. The Tigers improve to 10-4 overall and 2-0 in league play, while the Jennies are now 8-8 overall and 0-2 in MIAA action.

<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savanah-egger/8183">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/morgan-schmidt/8190">Morgan Schmidt</a>&nbsp;both tossed complete game victories on the day, combining to strike out 18 batters while FHSU hitters struck out just eight times.

<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/jules-bosco/8199">Jules Bosco</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/madison-pierce/8188">Madison Pierce</a>&nbsp;both collected three hits on the day while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/marisela-landa/8193">Marisela Landa</a>&nbsp;drove in a team-high three RBI.

The Tigers will wrap up the weekend Sunday (March 9) when FHSU hosts Missouri Western in another conference doubleheader beginning at noon.

Game 1: Fort Hays State 6, Central Missouri 5 The Jennies opened the scoring with a three-run home run in the second, but FHSU quickly got one of those runs back when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lilly-mohr/8194">Lilly Mohr</a>&nbsp;drilled a solo home run to left field.

Egger bounced back after the home run, retiring 13 of the next 15 batters to give the Tiger bats a chance to cut into the Jennie lead. Fort Hays State did just that with three unearned runs in the fourth inning. The frame was extended when an out call at second base was overturned via a coaches challenge. An error later gave&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/abbey-duarte/8206">Abbey Duarte</a>&nbsp;the chance to make it 3-2 with an RBI groundout before Landa gave the Tigers the lead with a two-RBI single to left.

The Tigers added another run in the fifth thanks to doubles from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/audrey-gillespie/8185">Audrey Gillespie</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/paige-thexton/8200">Paige Thexton</a>, putting the home team in front 5-3.Down to their last out, the Jennies mounted a rally in the seventh with a double, a single and a walk. With the bases loaded, Egger got a fly ball to center but it was dropped by the Tiger fielder, allowing the Jennies to the game at five with two unearned runs.

Fort Hays State manufactured the winning run in the home half of the inning with two singles and a sacrifice bunt. UCM's Andi Siebeneck seemed to get out of the inning with a routine grounder to short, but it was also misplayed by the Jennie defender, allowing FHSU to win on a walk-off error.

Egger (5-2) struck out eight batters over 7.0 innings of work, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits and one walk.

Game 2: Fort Hays State 5, Central Missouri 4 The visitors again struck first in the second contest, pushing across four runs on four hits in the top of the third. UCM's Emily Brouse puzzled the Tiger hitters early on, allowing only one hit over the first four innings.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741480929011.png" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Athletics&nbsp;HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State softball team opened conference play Saturday with a pair of come-from-behind wins over Central Missouri, winning the opener 6-5 in walk-off fashion before taking the second contest 5-4. The Tigers improve to 10-4 overall and 2-0 in league play, while the Jennies are now 8-8 overall and 0-2 in MIAA action.<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savanah-egger/8183">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/morgan-schmidt/8190">Morgan Schmidt</a>&nbsp;both tossed complete game victories on the day, combining to strike out 18 batters while FHSU hitters struck out just eight times.<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/jules-bosco/8199">Jules Bosco</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/madison-pierce/8188">Madison Pierce</a>&nbsp;both collected three hits on the day while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/marisela-landa/8193">Marisela Landa</a>&nbsp;drove in a team-high three RBI.The Tigers will wrap up the weekend Sunday (March 9) when FHSU hosts Missouri Western in another conference doubleheader beginning at noon.Game 1: Fort Hays State 6, Central Missouri 5 The Jennies opened the scoring with a three-run home run in the second, but FHSU quickly got one of those runs back when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lilly-mohr/8194">Lilly Mohr</a>&nbsp;drilled a solo home run to left field.Egger bounced back after the home run, retiring 13 of the next 15 batters to give the Tiger bats a chance to cut into the Jennie lead. Fort Hays State did just that with three unearned runs in the fourth inning. The frame was extended when an out call at second base was overturned via a coaches challenge. An error later gave&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/abbey-duarte/8206">Abbey Duarte</a>&nbsp;the chance to make it 3-2 with an RBI groundout before Landa gave the Tigers the lead with a two-RBI single to left.The Tigers added another run in the fifth thanks to doubles from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/audrey-gillespie/8185">Audrey Gillespie</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/paige-thexton/8200">Paige Thexton</a>, putting the home team in front 5-3.Down to their last out, the Jennies mounted a rally in the seventh with a double, a single and a walk. With the bases loaded, Egger got a fly ball to center but it was dropped by the Tiger fielder, allowing the Jennies to the game at five with two unearned runs.Fort Hays State manufactured the winning run in the home half of the inning with two singles and a sacrifice bunt. UCM's Andi Siebeneck seemed to get out of the inning with a routine grounder to short, but it was also misplayed by the Jennie defender, allowing FHSU to win on a walk-off error.Egger (5-2) struck out eight batters over 7.0 innings of work, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits and one walk.Game 2: Fort Hays State 5, Central Missouri 4 The visitors again struck first in the second contest, pushing across four runs on four hits in the top of the third. UCM's Emily Brouse puzzled the Tiger hitters early on, allowing only one hit over the first four innings.Schmidt rebounded after the big inning, retiring 14 of the last 19 UCM hitters to keep the Tigers in the game.The home team finally broke through in the fifth, plating four runs on three hits and a pair of walks to tie things up. Bosco got the Tigers on the board with a bases-loaded double down the right-field line, plating a pair to cut the deficit in half. Pierce followed with a two-out, two-RBI single to center, tying the game at four.Fort Hays State took the lead for the first time in the sixth when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/regan-curry/8182">Regan Curry</a>&nbsp;led off with a single. The shortstop advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt before scampering home on a single from Landa, giving the Tigers a 5-4 lead.The Jennies were able to get runners on the corners with one out in the seventh, but a pop up and a brilliant diving catch from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/kaydawn-haag/8195">Kaydawn Haag</a>&nbsp;in center field secured the doubleheader sweep.Schmidt (5-2) struck out 10 batters in her 7.0 innings of work, allowing four runs on nine hits and two walks.&nbsp;&nbsp;