HAYS, Kan. – On the second day of the series, the Regis University baseball team (2-1, 0-0 RMAC) looked to build on their season opening win against Fort Hays State University (3-3, 0-0) beating the Tigers 11-6 in game one, but falling 9-4 in the second game.

In the top half of the first inning, the Rangers got a huge jolt from sophomore designated hitter Christian Bitar (l-3, HR, 4 RBI's) as he crushed a grand slam over the left-center fence to open up the scoring and providing a very early 4-0 cushion over the Tigers.

FHSU would claw back to get one run across in the bottom of the fourth inning, before Senior infielder Dylan Navarro (2-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI's) responded with a laser shot over the left field fence, scoring senior Brian Sture on the play and putting RU up 7-2 after the visitor's half of the fifth. 

Senior catcher Ty Overboe (2-4, 2 RBI's) knocked in a pair of runs as he singled up the middle, scoring junior outfielder Josh Newell (2-4, 2B) and junior infielder Max Fabricant. Heading into the ninth inning, Regis had a 10-6 advantage on the scoreboard. A single from senior CJ McGrady (1-2, RBI) scored senior outfielder Weston Byers for what would be the final run of the game.

Five Rangers collected two hits in the game, and eight players totaled at least one hit in the 11-6 victory over the Tigers. Sophomore Chris Quackenbush (1-0) picked up the win going six innings and surrendering only four hits on the day. He struck out five FHSU hitters and only walked two batters. Sophomore Jake Griffith, senior Casey Kennedy, and junior Nick DiPoala combined for three innings of relief, shutting down the Tigers from any chance of a comeback.

The second game of the doubleheader ensued and this time FHSU struck first with a run in the bottom half of the first inning against sophomore pitcher Noah Gotsis. Overboe (2-3, 2 RBI's) singled up the middle in the top of the third inning, scoring Fabricant for RU's first run of the game.

A couple batters later sophomore infielder Connor Rochon (2-4, 2B, 2RBI's) doubled to the gap, plating both Bitar and Overboe on the hit. However, in the bottom half of the third inning, the Tigers got both runs back with a two-run homerun to right field. 

Overboe gave Regis the lead once again as he hit a sacrifice fly to center field allowing Newell (3-4, 2B, 3B) to score from third base on the tag. FHSU responded with a single through the left side knotting the game at four runs apiece. 

The home team pushed four more runs across in the bottom half of the eighth inning with three straight hits with runners in scoring position. The teams headed into the top half of the ninth inning with the Tigers ahead 9-4. In the visiting half of the ninth the Rangers went down 1-2-3 to end the game, giving FHSU the victory 9-4.

Gotsis went 4.1 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits, and striking out five batters. Junior pitcher Riley O'Brien (0-1) took the loss as he came on in relief and threw two innings, giving up one run. Junior pitcher Adam Montano and senior pitcher Kirby Schwein both gave up two earned runs in the eighth inning. For the first time in the series RU was out hit by the Tigers 14-9. 

Newell finished the series leading going 8-13 from the plate (.615 BA) with three doubles, one triple, two RBI's and five runs scored in three games. Newell also went 3-4 on stolen base attempts.

The baseball team will return home next weekend to face the University of Nebraska-Kearney in a three game series beginning on Friday, February 19 at 1 p.m. Another game will be played on Saturday, February 20 at noon, and the last game of the series will be played on Sunday, February 21 at noon.