Missouri Western could not complete the sweep over the Fort Hays State Tigers on Sunday afternoon falling in the regular season finale by a score of 12-11 at Larks Park in Hays. After winning the first three games of the series, the Griffons were unable to get the the last game finishing the regular season portion of their schedule at 33-15 overall and 26-12 in the MIAA.
As they had done all series, the Griffons jumped on top early with a pair of runs in the top of the first of Spencer Shockley’s sixth homer of the season. Unfortunaly the lead did not last long as Tigers punched back in the bottom half of the inning with four runs off Griffon starter Oliver Kadey who went just 0.2 innings.
Missouri Western pounded out four hits in the third inning taking the lead back at 5-4 and then pushed the lead to 6-4 in the fourth. In the third Shockley singled in his third run of the game and then Jimmy Smelcer singled to left field scoring David Chew and Shockley. In the fourth Shawn Egge scored on a double by Chew.
Once again FHSU responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth on Nash Smith’s second home run of the game, a two-run blast.
Fort Hays State finally took the lead back with three runs in the bottom half of the fifth when Chris Santoscoy had a two-RBI single with the bases loaded, then Smith followed with his fourth RBI of the game on another single.
A walk and error to start the top of the sixth triggered a three-run rally by the Griffons tying the score once again at 9-9 and the Griffons reclaimed the lead 10-9 on a solo home run by Bubba Dotson in the seventh. The homer marked Dotson’s fifth of the season.
The Tigers punched right back in the bottom of the seventh as Luke Kordsmeier hit a solo home run down the left field line to lead off the inning.
Missouri Western once again took the lead with a run in the eighth when Smelcer singled in his third run of the game giving the Griffons a 11-10 lead with an inning and a half to play.
The Tigers responded in the bottom of the eighth a Shane Shade solo home run tying the score at 11-11. A pair of singles and a walk led to a Sheldon Howell RBI sacrifice fly giving the Tigers the 12-11 lead heading to the ninth.
Bret Macari shut the door on the Griffons in the ninth. He allowed a walk with one out, but got a pop up and strikeout to end the game. He moves to 4-1 on the season with the win.
Western had 13 hits with Shockley leading the way going 4-for-6 with four RBI and four runs scored. Chew, Grant Fink and Smelcer all had two hits apiece. Matt Bergin picked up the loss pitching three innings in releif. He gave up seven hits and three earned runs falling to 2-5 on the season.
FHSU starter Andy Lewten went 4.0 innings, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks. Fort Hays State pounded out 17 hits as they finish the regular season 26-22 and 20-19 in MIAA play. They will be the No. 6 seed next week in the MIAA Tournament.
The Griffons will be the No. 2 seed in the MIAA Tournament and will face the highest remaining seed on Friday, May 11 at 2:30 pm. They are automatically in the four-team double-elimination bracket as they get a by in the opening round. See the tournament bracket at the start of the article for all your game times and participants.
— MWSU Sports Information —