KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- The Fort Hays State Tigers held off a late rally by the Missouri Western Griffons and claimed a 4-3 victory in an elimination game at the MIAA Baseball Tournament Saturday afternoon (May 10) at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

FHSU (28-29) will face the loser of the winner's bracket final between top-seeded Emporia State and second-seeded Central Missouri. That game will take place 30 minutes after the end of the ESU/UCM game on Saturday evening.

Fort Hays State's Dusty Washburn smacked a pair of solo homers against Western. Photo by Matthew S. Hicks/MSH Photography
Junior 1B Dusty Washburn had a pair of solo home runs in the game, the first with two outs in the opening frame and and second with one out in the sixth. His shots bookended a two-run shot by junior C A.J. Levanduski in the second inning to stake the Tigers to a 4-0 lead.

Western was limited to three hits in the first seven innings -- all singles -- off of Tigers sophomore RHP Matt Augustine (5-7). The Griffons finally broke loose in the top of the eighth, but a mistake in the early in the frame may have cost them a chance for at least a tie.

Junior LF Adan Mercado led off with a double down the rightfield line, but was picked off soon after by Augustine. Senior 2B Matt Radel then fanned on three pitches to quickly put Western in a two-out hole.

Sophomore C Cory Elmendorf drew a walk and went to third on a single to right-center by senior CF Troy Landi. Senior 3B Adam Carolan then spoiled the shutout with a double to left-center to bring home both baserunners and make it 4-2.

Senior RF Ben Toedebusch then doubled home Carolan to make it 4-3 and chase Augustine for sophomore RHP Donnie Moore.

Senior 1B Tommy Bone stepped to the plate and stroked a single to left field. Junior Drew Loller, pinch running for Toedebusch, was thrown out at home with the potential tying run.

Western had another chance to tie the game in the ninth when Moore hit junior SS Adam Elmendorf to lead off the frame. That's when FHSU brought in junior LHP Eric Gilliland, and he promptly punced on an attempted bunt by junior PH Joey Pilatti and pegged the lead runner at second.

Gilliland then fanned Mercado and induced a liner to second by junior PH Greg Euker to get his first save of the year.

Western senior RHP Everett Saul (8-4) went the distance for the Griffons, allowing eight hits and four runs with six strikeouts and no walks in taking the loss.

Augustine fanned 11 and walked one in 7 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits and three runs.

Along with Washburn, freshman C Ryan Majercik had two hits in four at bats for the Tigers. Landi and Mercado each went 2-for-4 as well for Western.

-- MIAA --