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Tigers look for one more win over No. 7 Mules
8/29/2007
May 10, 2007
By RANDY GONZALES
Hays Daily News
It's true that the Tiger baseball team's first-round opponent in the conference postseason tournament is ranked seventh in NCAA Division II and No. 1 in the Central Region with just nine losses on the season.
However, it's also true that the Fort Hays State University baseball team is one of these clubs to have beaten University of Central Missouri. The teams play a first-round game in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association tourney in Warrensburg, Mo., on Friday at 7 p.m.
Fort Hays (33-18) went 1-2 against Central Missouri (46-9) in a series at Larks Park in mid-April.
After getting blown out 18-6 in seven innings in the series opener, Fort Hays split a doubleheader the next day, losing 5-3 before coming back to take a 7-5 win.
"We had a real chance for two (wins)," Fort Hays coach Rick Sabath said.
"They handed it to us on Saturday night, run-ruled us -- I'm glad the way we responded.
"I think we're in a better situation than if we were pounded three times," Sabath added.
Senior left-hander Justin Randa is the probable starter against the Mules in the opener. Randa has come on to be one of the Tigers' top pitchers, posting a 7-2 record with a 2.25 earned-run average.
"Really, his fastball command has been outstanding," Sabath said. "His last three games have been 1-0, 1-0 and 3-1.
"His confidence has grown. He didn't start out as the No. 1 (pitcher), he developed into that," Sabath added.
Senior left-hander Tom Goodwin has been a solid No. 2 starter, going 8-2 with a 3.89 ERA.
"Justin Randa and Tom Goodwin, we're 13-1 in the MIAA with those two on the mound," Sabath said.
Senior right-hander Bobby Lewton (6-5, 6.48) and redshirt freshman left-hander Matt Augustine (4-1, 6.75) give the Tigers depth in the rotation, while senior left-hander Tyler Nuss (0-2, 3.99) has steadied the back end of the bullpen, leading the conference in appearances (20) and saves (9).
The Tiger pitching staff will be tested by a deep Mule lineup with plenty of power.
Senior Josh Paul hit .389 and led the MIAA with 16 homers and was second in RBIs with 56. Junior Iain Dykins batted .370 with 11 homers and 55 RBIs. The Mules have speed, too, in senior leadoff man Gered Mochizuki, who is batting .400, second-best in the conference.
Fort Hays is led in hitting by sophomore Dusty Washburn, who is batting .362 with three homers and 32 RBIs.
Senior first baseman Rob Nelson tied for the team lead in home runs with 11, and is batting .357 with 34 RBIs.
Redshirt freshman Dylan Briggs is batting .355 with two homers and 26 RBIs, while senior outfielder Tyler Konrade is hitting .353 with two homers and 28 RBIs.
Senior Luke Dreiling is batting .346 with 11 homers (tied for the team lead) and has a team-high 50 RBIs. Senior Jason Pfeifer is hitting .327 with one homer and 29 RBIs.
The Tiger hitters will be facing a Mules' pitching staff led by junior Kris Webber and senior Seth Gilleland. Webber is 8-2 with a 2.23 ERA and Gilleland (10-1, 2.26) led the conference in victories and strikeouts (79).
"They're solid in all phases," Sabath said of Central Missouri. "They bring a lot of power to the table. No fluke they are as good as they are.
"That being said, we look forward to playing in their home ball park in the Friday 7 p.m. game. It's a great opportunity for Fort Hays. We're very excited," Sabath added.
Sports editor Randy Gonzales can be reached at (785) 628-1081, Ext. 130, or by e-mail at
rgonzales@dailynews.net.
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| BB | 5/04 | Pittsburg State | W 17-5 |
| BB | 5/04 | Pittsburg State | L 4-3 |
| BB | 5/03 | Pittsburg State | L 15-7 |
| BB | 5/03 | Pittsburg State | L 5-4 |
| SB | 5/02 | Central Missouri | L 3-1 |
| SB | 5/02 | Missouri Western | W 3-2 |
| SB | 5/01 | Pittsburg State | W 6-0 |
| SB | 5/01 | Emporia State | L 11-0 |
| BB | 4/30 | Kansas Wesleyan | W 14-1 |
| BB | 4/30 | Kansas Wesleyan | W 12-2 |
