FHSU Athletics
TOPEKA, Kan. - The 20th-ranked Fort Hays State baseball team rallied once again to defeat the Washburn Ichabods on Tuesday (April 15), erasing a 6-1 deficit to win 10-8 in extra innings. With the win the Tigers (27-10, 21-5 MIAA) completed the season sweep of the Ichabods (21-21, 14-15 MIAA) for the first time since 2008.
Washburn struck first with four runs on six hits in the bottom of the first. After the first six Tiger batters were retired, Cesar Saavedra opened the third with a single. A pair of free passes loaded the bases for Isaiah Ural, who lifted a sacrifice fly to right to drive in FHSU's first run of the game.
The Ichabods responded with single runs in the third and fourth innings, padding their lead to five, 6-1. Two walks and a wild pitch allowed the Tigers to plate two more runs on a pair of sacrifice flies in the top of the sixth, first from Derek Woolwine and later from Brady Kreutzer. Luis Ayala then made it a one run game in the top of the seventh with his second home run of the season, a two-run drive to left.
The home team punched back with a run on two hits and two free passes in the bottom of the seventh, but reliever Brandon Chavez kept the score at 7-5 thanks to an inning-ending double play.
Fort Hays State completed the comeback in the top of the eighth when Trey DeGarmo reached on a lead-off error. A walk and a Kreutzer bunt single loaded the bases before DeGarmo scored on a wild pitch, helping FHSU close within 7-6. Saavedra then plated the tying run on an RBI groundout before Cooper Howell gave the Tigers their first lead of the day with a hard-hit double to left.
Washburn managed to tie things up in the bottom of the eighth with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly, but Chavez was again able to get out of the jam with a 6-4-3 double play.
Tony Moore led off the ninth with a double but was stranded in scoring position before Chavez retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth to send things to extra innings.
Elliott Herrmann worked a one-out walk to get a rally started in the 10th before Howell singled up the middle. Ayala then sent a cue ball off the end of the bat towards second, loading the bases on an infield single and turning the lineup over.
Moore worked a full count before lining one back up the middle and off the pitcher's foot. The ball caromed towards the shortstop, who made a desperation throw to first that was far too late. With the runners going on the pitch and expecting a Hail Mary throw from the infielder, Howell was able to score from second on the infield single to give the Tigers a 10-8 lead.
Chavez allowed a two-out single to bring the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the inning, but the lefty brought the game to a close with a lazy fly ball to center. The sophomore earned the win, improving to 6-0 on the year, after tossing 4.0 innings of relief. He allowed six hits and one run while striking out two batters.
Cade Flaherty got the start, giving up five runs on seven hits and three walks in 3.0 innings of work. Mike Acierno tossed the next three innings, scattering two runs and four hits across those frames.
Fort Hays State was outhit in the game, 17-9, however the Tigers left just seven runners on base across the 10 innings compared to 12 left on from the Ichabods.
Moore, Kreutzer, Howell and Ayala all had two hits each in the ballgame, with Moore and Ayala each driving in a pair and DeGarmo and Saavedra both scoring twice.
The Tigers will next travel to Wichita, Kan. beginning Thursday (April 17) for a three-game series against Newman. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.