MSSU Sweeps Series at FHSU with Late-Inning Rally

Fort Hays State baseball fell by a score of 8-5 on Sunday (Mar. 15) in the finale of a four-game series against Missouri Southern at Larks Park in Hays. The Tigers had a 4-3 lead through five innings, but could not hold on as they fell to 3-13 overall and 3-9 in the MIAA. Missouri Southern improved to 15-1 overall and 8-0 in the MIAA.

Missouri Southern took the lead early with three runs in the first, but FHSU countered with two in the first and two in the second to take a 4-3 lead. Kevin Czarnecki had a two-RBI single in the first and Alex King put FHSU in front in the second with a two-run homer.

After a tough first inning, FHSU starting pitcher Chase Newman settled in to hold the Lions scoreless over the next four innings. He got two outs in the sixth before giving up a solo homer to Axel Johnson, which tied the game 4-4. Newman did not get a decision throwing 5.2 innings with just five hits and a walk allowed, but he struck out six.

Gus Strunk relieved Newman and got the final out of the sixth and pitched a scoreless seventh. He finally ran into trouble in the eighth after retiring the first batter. He gave up five straight hits, which led to four runs in the inning for MSSU. He struck out three in his appearance, but was handed his first loss of the season as the four-run margin was too much for FHSU to overcome in the final two innings.

Andre Vieyra hit a home run in the eighth to cut the MSSU lead to 8-5, but that was all the Tigers would get. MSSU starter Cody Hutchinson went the distance, pitching all nine innings for a complete game win. He allowed eight hits and two walks, but struck out 10, throwing 137 pitches.

The Tigers head on the road next week with a game at Southwestern Oklahoma State on Wednesday (Mar. 18) before heading to Northwest Missouri State for a four-game conference series Friday through Sunday (Mar. 20-22).

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