By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
For a second straight game Washburn University erased an early deficit with a three-run eighth inning, winning Game 2 over Fort Hays State 7-4 on Saturday to clinch the series win over the Tigers at Falley Field.
Washburn's Griffin Huiatt picked up the win in relief in Saturday's 7-4 MIAA decision over Fort Hays State. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
The Ichabods will go for the sweep on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the series finale.
Fort Hays State (21-19 overall, 9-17 MIAA) led off the game with a pair of first-inning singles, but a double play took one off the basepaths. A walk again put two runners on and a single up the middle scored one.
The Tigers then knocked a double into the right-field corner, scoring a run, but Washburn tagged out the second runner at the plate to end the inning.
The score stayed that way until the bottom of the third.
Connor Scott and Grant Jones earned walks with no outs.
Payton McHarg got Washburn (22-16, 16-10) on the board with a double into the corner in right field, scoring both runners to tie the game at two.
The Tigers led off the fifth inning with a hit batter. They got two in scoring position with a double and the next three hitters singled, scoring two and leaving three on base. WU pitcher Cooper Carlgren was able to retire the next two hitters and limit the scoring.
In the bottom of the sixth Jett Buck was able to cut the lead in half with a two-out solo home run to left field.
After getting the last out in the sixth inning, Washburn reliever Griffin Huiatt stayed on in the seventh and Fort Hays State was able to load the bases with two outs. After stranding one the inning before he left three more Tigers on the bases, getting the final out.
Cal Watkins doubled down the left field line to begin the Ichabod seventh and he was moved to third on a flyout from Connor Scott. Jones shot a single past the first baseman into right field, scoring Watkins and tying the game.
In the eighth Savage got a one-out single and moved all the way to third after walks to Cash Jay and Buck.
Just like the day before, Priest scored two in the eighth, hitting a sharp single just past the first-base bag. Watkins added some insurance with an RBI groundout and the Ichabods led 7-4.
Huiatt stayed on in the ninth and retired Fort Hays State in order to finish off the game and secure a winning series.
All nine innings were tossed by Carlgren and Huiatt, with Huiatt getting the win and moving to 2-3 on the year. The duo combined to strike out seven while walking just two.
Washburn had six hits at the plate, with three going for extra bases.
Both Hayden Priest and McHarg drove in two runs.
