Game two of a three game series between Colorado Christian and Fort Hays State was played on Saturday afternoon in Hays, KS. The game needed extra innings to decide a winner, but unfortunately the Tigers came out on top and beat CCU by a final score of 4-3 in 12 innings. It was a tough loss for the Cougs, especially after battling back and tying the game in the ninth inning to force extra innings.
 
The first half of the game turned out to be a pitcher's duel as Joey Loranger battled Ben Ramberg of Fort Hays. Both had tremendous stuff in the game, which is why the score remained 0-0 heading into the bottom half of the fifth inning. The Tigers were able to break the scoreless tie in the fifth as Ty Redington collected a two out RBI single to give them the 1-0 lead.
 
The Cougars would bounce back, as they were able to get even in the top half of the seventh thanks to a Dillon Mctague solo homerun to lead off the inning. It was the first homerun for Mctague on the year. The score did not remain tied 1-1 for long, as Fort Hays jumped back in front 2-1 in their half of the seventh. Once again it was Ty Redington from Fort Hays as he had a sacrifice fly to break the tie.
 
The resilient Christian squad continued to battle and was able to tie the game up again in the eighth inning when Sam Gallegos singled up the middle to drive in Kaleb Johnson, who had singled to open up the inning. That was the first collegiate RBI from the talented freshman. Once again the Tigers retaliated with another run in their half of the eighth, which gave them a 3-2 advantage over CCU heading into the final inning.
 
CCU came up in the ninth looking to rally. After the leadoff hitter was retired, Branden Amenta singled up the middle and gave blue and gold hope with two outs remaining. Brandon Hesselberg came up next and grounded out to second, but was able to advance Amenta to second base. Now with two outs, Kaleb Johnson stepped into the box as the last hope for his team. Johnson delivered, as he singled up the middle which allowed Amenta to score from second, and tie up the game 3-3. Fort Hays was unable to score in their half of the ninth, which sent the game into extras.
 
After neither team had much doing in the 10^th or 11^th innings, we pick things up in the 12^th. Kaleb Johnson led off the inning, and was able to reach on a throwing error from the Tigers pitcher. Jerry Gallegos followed that with a double to centerfield which pushed Johnson up to third. Austin Maltby was next up and was walked to load the bases with nobody out. Unfortunately, the Cougs were unable to capitalize on the golden opportunity, as the Tigers collected a strikeout followed by a double play to wiggle their way out of danger without allowing any runs.
 
After seizing the momentum, Fort Hays came to bat in their half of the 12^th. CCU reliever Quinn Hunter was in his third inning of work, and after collecting the first out, he gave up a double to put the winning run on base. Hunter composed himself and got the next batter to ground out. With two outs and a runner on third, Dayton Pomeroy singled which gave the Tigers the 4-3 walk-off victory. It was a tough luck loss for Hunter, who pitched well for the Cougars in the game.
 
 Offensively, CCU was able to outhit the Tigers in the game, but fell just short on the scoreboard. Both Kaleb Johnson and Jerry Gallegos finished the game 2-6. Gallegos picked up his team leading fourth double of the season, and Johnson leads the team with a .395 batting average. Sam Gallegos also picked up two hits in the game as he went 2-5 with one RBI.
 
The Colorado Christian pitching staff once again turned in another great effort throughout the game. Starter Joey Loranger lasted 6 2/3^rd giving up four hits, two runs (one earned), issued one walk, and struck out six. Jarrod Rivera went 1 2/3^rd innings allowing only one hit, and striking out two. For Rivera, he continues his amazing start to his collegiate career as he has made five appearances allowing only five hits in 13 1/3^rd innings pitched, and has yet to give up any runs. Quinn Hunter relieved Rivera and went 2 2/3^rd innings allowing three hits and one run, while striking out two.
 
This marked the fifth straight one-run game that the Cougars have been a part of, going 2-3 in those games. Their record now sits at 3-7 on the year. They will be back in action on Sunday morning for the final game of the series between Fort Hays. First pitch will be at 11AM MST.