HAYS, Kan. - After waiting for the chance to finally get their season stsarted, the Regis University men's baseball (1-0, 0-0 RMAC) team made the trip to Fort Hays State University (2-2, 0-0 MIAA) to open up non-conference play. Regis channeled their hunger to get the season started into a great all-around performance on Saturday afternoon beating the Tigers 9-2.

The Rangers got off to a hot start as senior Ty Overboe laced a double into right field scoring junior Josh Newell from third base and advancing senior Drew LaComb from first base to third base. Two batters later senior Brian Sture grounded out to third base allowing LaComb to cross the plate. Sophomore Connor Rochon came to the plate next and singled to left field, scoring Overboe from second base. After the first inning RU enjoyed a 3-0 lead.

Regis continued to add to their lead scoring two more runs in the second inning. After a stolen base and a subsequent passed ball from catcher, sophomore Mickey Meinhofer scored on Newell's second hit of the game. With runners on second and third, sophomore Christian Bitar came through with a two-out hit plating both Newell and Overboe. RU had a commanding 8-0 lead after their half of the third inning.  

FHSU scratched out runs in the third and fourth innings, but Regis rebounded with another run in the seventh. Newell doubled down the right field line, his third hit of the game, scoring redshirt-freshman Logan Heflebower and putting the Rangers up 9-2. The game ended as senior Will Waterman came in and closed the game out.

Junior Brad Thoutt threw a gem as he went six innings, scattering three hits, and giving up two runs. Thoutt totaled three strikeouts and Waterman added four more in relief. Rochon (3-5, 1 RBI) joined Newell (3-5, 2 RBI's) collecting three hits on the day. Bitar (2-4) drove in two runs, as six RU batters had hits on the day. Newell (3), Rochon (1), and Meinhofer (1) all stole bases in the game giving Regis many opportunities to score.

The men's baseball team will remain in Hays, Kan. to play a doubleheader tomorrow against the Tigers at noon and 3 p.m. before returning home.