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Bieker makes big play in Tiger loss
4/24/2008
By RANDY GONZALES
rgonzales@dailynews.net
Two players for the Fort Hays State University baseball team turned in highlight-worthy defensive plays in Wednesday's second game of a doubleheader against University of Nebraska-Omaha at Larks Park.
In the second inning, with one out and a Maverick runner on second, junior Brian Goliber lofted a shallow fly ball to right field. Fort Hays sophomore right fielder Greg Bieker charged the ball and lunged forward for a diving catch. He then scurried to his feet and threw to senior shortstop Brent Biggs at second base to double up UNO junior Mat Eikmeier.
In the fifth inning, UNO had a run in and runners on first and second with one out when Tiger junior first baseman Dusty Washburn made a remarkable play. Junior pinch-hitter Mike Rector hit a foul popup down the right-field line in a swirling wind. Washburn, who is nursing a sore hamstring, galloped into foul territory and made an over-the-shoulder catch in short right field. UNO senior runner Bryan Frew tagged up at second on the play, but Washburn whirled and threw a one-hop bullet to third base to complete the double play.
"That was a great play," Fort Hays coach Rick Sabath said of Bieker's diving catch. "As good a play as Greg's was, Dusty's was unbelievable.
"That was as fine a play as you'll ever see," Sabath added.
Streaks & stats
Washburn went 2-for-4 in each game to extend his hitting streak to 17 games. He leads the Tigers at the plate, batting .403 on the season. ... UNO, ranked 23rd in the nation, had an 18-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday with a 7-2 loss to Washburn University in Topeka. ... Fort Hays junior left-hander Eric Gilliland was named co-pitcher of the week in the MIAA. Gilliland came within one out of pitching a complete game in a 5-3 win at 14th-ranked Central Missouri last weekend. Gilliland scattered 10 hits, with two walks and five strikeouts.
On the road
Fort Hays (21-24 overall, 17-11 MIAA) will play doubleheaders Friday and Saturday at Southwest Baptist (Mo.) University (9-27, 7-21). The Tigers' probable starters are junior right-hander Brian Thompson (4-3, 7.71 ERA) and Gilliland (3-4, 5.48) on Friday, with sophomore left-hander Matt Augustine (3-5, 6.19) scheduled to pitch Saturday's first game. Sabath was unsure who his starter will be for the series finale.
"Anytime you go on the road in the MIAA, you've got to be ready to play," Sabath said. "Southwest Baptist is improving, they're young."
| 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 |
