HAYS, Kan. – For the first time in the four-game series, the Missouri Western baseball team built a lead that Fort Hays couldn’t overcome. After dropping three straight on walk-offs, MWSU took the fourth and final game of the series to earn a day two split and get out of Hays with one win in four tries.
Despite losing the series, Ryan Degner had a memorable day and series. The senior outfielder hit three home runs Saturday, including two in the first inning of game four. On the weekend, he went 10-19 at the plate with four home runs, 10 RBIs and seven runs scored. Degner also hit a double and a triple in the series.
GAME 1: Fort Hays 8, MWSU 7
For the third straight game, Fort Hays State downed Missouri Western with in walk-off fashion. The Griffons saw a three-run lead going into the bottom of the seventh evaporate and a two-out home run end the game.
MWSU led 7-4 after scoring three in the top of the seventh. Mike Calimeno walked the leadoff batter in the bottom half of the inning but coaxed a pop fly to the next. Then another walk put two runners on with one out. Calimeno struck out the next batter but a balk to the next put two runners in scoring position with the tying run at the plate. One swing of the bat tied it with a three run home run. Calimeno was then replaced by Gehrig Hudson, who surrendered the game winning home run on a 2-2 pitch.
Ryan Degner homered in the game and went 2-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Orencio Fisher was 3-4 with one driven in, a triple and a run scored. Andrew Ramirez and David Glaude both had two hits. Hudson took the loss, facing just one batter. A.J. Martinez pitched the first five innings, giving up four runs on seven hits.
GAME 2: MWSU 9, Fort Hays 5
The Griffons jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the top of the first. That half inning included two home runs from Degner, including a leadoff solo shot. MWSU would not score another run as Fort Hays tried to chip away but could never put together more than one run in any inning.
Degner finished 3-5 with two home runs, four driven in and two runs scored. Cody Childs was also 3-5, while Cosimo Cannella and Corbin Duffy each went 2-4. Dylon Koch was 2-5. Grant Woods picked up the win, going six innings and allowing four runs on seven hits. Kyle Kelly pitched three innings in relief, allowin gone run on one hit and striking out five.
MWSU sits at 19-15 on the year with a 13-11 mark in MIAA play. The team takes a break from conference play with a doubleheader at home versus Truman State on Tuesday.
— MWSU Sports Information —