FHSU Sports Information Department
TOPEKA, Kan. – Washburn won the rubber match of the season series against Fort Hays State on Tuesday (Apr. 5) by a score of 4-2. FHSU enjoyed leads of 1-0 and 2-1 before Washburn rallied for a run in the fourth and the decisive two runs in the fifth. Washburn won two of the three games between the teams for the season. FHSU is now 16-16 overall and 10-11 in the MIAA, while Washburn improved to 19-12 overall and 14-7 in the MIAA.
Alex Weiss opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning. Nick Hammeke broke a 1-1 tie in the third with an RBI double. But, the Tigers struggled the remainder of the game, getting a runner past first base only once the rest of the game.
Control issues by Tiger pitchers were costly in the low-scoring contest. In the second, FHSU starter Clayton Basgall hit a batter, then allowed a walk before hitting two more batters to generate a run for the Ichabods. Washburn tied the game in the fourth by recording three of its five total hits in the game. Three walks and a wild pitch by reliever Will Amen in the fifth led to Washburn’s two runs to take the lead.
Jackson Rolfs and Giles Fox did a great job holding Washburn the rest of the way, allowing only two hits in their combined four innings of work. But the Tigers could not solve the Ichabod bullpen as Greg Mason tossed three scoreless innings with just one hit allowed and Lance Barkley recorded the save by holding the Tigers hitless in the ninth.
Amen took the loss for FHSU, allowing two runs on three walks and a hit batter in 1.0 innings of work. Maustin Otterstatter picked up the win for Washburn, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk in 5.0 innings of work.
Fort Hays State returns to action on Friday (Apr. 8) at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. The series opener is set for 6 pm.