FHSU Athletics
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. – Fort Hays State Softball punched its ticket for the MIAA Tournament next week in Oklahoma by sweeping Northeastern State in a doubleheader on Friday. The Tigers won game one by shutout, 4-0, before rallying late for a 3-2 win in game two. FHSU improved to 26-22 overall and 10-14 in the MIAA. NSU moved to 8-35 overall and 3-21 in the MIAA.
Fort Hays State is now mathematically clear of Nebraska-Kearney and Newman for the last spot to get into the MIAA Tournament. All that is left to be determined is what seed the Tigers will be come next week in Oklahoma. They still have a chance for a seed higher than No. 10 going into the final day of MIAA play on Saturday. The Tigers are only a game back of a three-way tie for seventh in the standings between Missouri Southern, Missouri Western, and Central Missouri, all at 11-13.
Game 1: Fort Hays State 4, Northeastern State 0
The Tigers took advantage of some RiverHawk defensive miscues, while Savannah Egger tossed her fifth shutout of the season and 20th complete game overall in the first contest of the day.
Egger worked out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning after the RiverHawks recorded three hits. She allowed only two hits the remainder of the game to move to 14-10 overall on the season. Egger recorded one of her nine strikeouts in the game in the two-out bases loaded situation to escape early trouble. The nine strikeouts were her most since recording 10 against Rockhurst on March 13.
A three-error inning in the fifth by NSU led to the first two runs for FHSU. Audrey Gillespie reached base by error to start the inning and a Madison Pierce single put two runners on before a passed ball moved the runners into scoring position with two outs. A throwing error on a grounder by Peyton Shepard allowed the first run to score and then a fielding error off the bat of Sarah TIffany allowed the second run to score.
The Tigers added insurance runs in the seventh when Regan Curry and Carly Stuke walks and Peyton Shepard being hit by a pitch set up a bases loaded situation with one out. Tiffany reached on a fielder's choice, driving in a run, and then Loren Beggs doubled home another run to make it 4-0.
Korynn Tindel (2-11) took the loss for NSU, throwing a complete game with five hits allowed, three strikeouts, and a pair of walks allowed.
Game 2: Fort Hays State 3, Northeastern State 2
Just like the first contest of the day, the Tigers and RiverHawks battled to a scoreless tie through four innings before the Tigers broke through with a run in the fifth. Morgan Schmidt had a no-hitter going through the first 3 2/3 innings of the game, but the RiverHawks found a way to get a pair of runs in the sixth and take a 2-1 lead. However, the Tigers had the response needed into the top of the seventh, taking the lead back 3-2, then Schmidt closed out her complete-game effort to push the Tigers into the postseason.
The Tigers recorded a hit in each of the first four innings and had runners in scoring position in three of those four innings, but could not break through until the fifth inning. Carly Stuke opened the fifth with a walk, moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt by Peyton Shepard, and then came into score on an RBI single by Sarah Tiffany.
A double and single by NSU in the sixth set up an RBI single that tied the game. A sacrifice fly then put the RiverHawks into the lead momentarily until the Tigers rallied back in front the next half inning in their final at bat. Shepard and Tiffany started the seventh with back-to-back singles and then Audrey Gillespie loaded the bases with a one-out single. Alonda Dominguez drew a walk to tie the game and then Lilliana Ramirez-Johnson knocked in the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice grounder to the shortstop. NSU got a two-out hit in the bottom of the seventh, but a pop out ended the game.
Schmidt scattered five hits and struck out seven batters to move to 8-11 on the season. She walked only one batter. Madison Heinle (6-20) threw a complete game for NSU, allowing 10 hits and three walks, while striking out five.
UP NEXT
Fort Hays State closes out the regular season on Saturday in a doubleheader at No. 12 ranked Rogers State. The Tigers are looking for their first win in Claremore and are 0-7 all-time against the Hillcats. Rogers State is in a three-way tie for first in the MIAA standings with Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State, all at 21-3 in conference play. Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State face each other on Saturday.