FHSU Sports Information Department
JOPLIN, Mo. – Fort Hays State halted an eight-game skid and avoided the sweep on Sunday (Apr. 24) with a 6-5 comeback win at Missouri Southern. With the win, the Tigers improved to 18-25 overall and 12-20 in the MIAA. The Lions dropped to 28-15 overall and 18-14 in the MIAA.
The Tigers got on the board early, and led 1-0 after a run in the second. Alex Weiss led off with a double, then moved to third on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Caleb Cherryholmes found the right center gap for an RBI double.
The Lions tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth and then took the lead the following inning thanks to a two-out RBI single by Tyler Sutherland. The following inning the Lions tacked on three more runs with five hits, including three singles, a double and a triple to push their lead to 5-1.
The tide turned quickly in the top of the eighth when Austin Unrein hit a grand slam to tie the game. A pair of singles and a walk to open the inning set up the game-changing homer.
The Tigers took the lead for the second time in the ninth when Nick Hammeke delivered a two-out single. Alex King started the inning with a double and moved to third after a sacrifice bunt from Clayton Basgall before scoring on the Hammeke single.
D.J. Carr started the game for the Tigers but did not pick up a decision. He lasted 5.2 innings, giving up five runs on nine hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Jackson Rolfs picked up the win in relief after pitching three scoreless innings, allowing just three hits with four strikeouts. Giles Fox recorded his fifth save of the year, getting the only batter he faced to fly out to end the game.
The Tigers host Nebraska-Kearney on Wednesday evening (Apr. 27) at 6 pm in the final game of the three games played between the teams this season.