Fort Hays State 5 Wayne State 3

            Fort Hays State defeated Wayne State 5-3 Saturday evening in a nine inning non-conference college baseball game played at Larks Park in Hays, Kansas.  The host Tigers are now 24-19 with the win while Wayne State falls to 26-15.

            Fort Hays State held a 4-0 lead scoring two runs each in the second and third innings.  WSC trimmed the lead in half in the top of the fourth with a pair of runs.  The 'Cats opened the inning by loading the bases as Jake Ritzdorf singled, Keven Andersen doubled and C.J. Nolen was hit by a pitch.  A Justin Beranek fielder's choice scored Ritzdorf with the first run while the second run scored on a Braulio Acosta RBI single that brought home Andersen. 

            WSC pulled within one at 4-3 in the top of the seventh as Acosta singled up the middle and scored on a Travis Parsons double to the gap in right-center field.  But Fort Hays State scored an insurance run in the eighth inning on a two-out solo homer to make the final score 5-3.

            Fort Hays State outhit the Wildcats 10-7.  C.J. Nolen was 2 for 3 with a pair of singles to lead WSC offensively while Braulio Acosta was 2 for 5 with two singles, an RBI and run scored.  Travis Parsons and Keven Andersen each doubled while Jake Ritzdorf singled to round out Wayne State's seven hits.

            Junior lefthander Eric Schwieger (3-2) was tagged with the pitching loss, allowing four runs on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings with three walks and one strikeout.  Junior reliever Trevor Reeves worked the final 1 1/3 innings, giving up one run on one hit.

            Wayne State and Fort Hays State will play another nine inning game on Sunday afternoon starting at 1:00 p.m. in Hays, Kansas.