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Story Headlines
- The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team defeated Fort Hays State, 13-1, in a seven-inning game on Friday at Larks Park in Hays, Kan.
- The Bearcats improve to 7-6 overall and 4-0 in MIAA play.
- Alixon Herrera drove in four runs, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored, two doubles and a walk.
- Joseph Hietpas threw the complete 7.0 innings. He struck out 13, allowing one run on seven hits. He allowed just one walk.

Key Northwest Statistics
- Northwest scored five runs in the second, four in the third and four in the fifth. Fort Hays scored its lone run in the first inning.
- The Bearcats had 13 runs on 10 hits with no errors. The Tigers scored one run on seven hits and committed three errors.
- Logan Rycraft was 2-for-5 with three runs driven in. He hit a double, scored a run and also reached on a walk.
- Kevin Handzlik went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs.
- Hudson Bilodeau was 1-for-3 with two runs driven in. He was also hit by a pitch.
- Jay Hrdlicka was 1-for-2, drawing four walks. He scored twice.
- Mondesi Gutierrez scored a pair of runs, going 1-for-2. He drew two walks and was hit by a pitch.
- Landon Figg drew a walk and scored a run.
- Luke Hassman scored three times after reaching twice on walks and once on a hit by pitch.
- Aaron Barratt was hit by a pitch. He drove in a run and also scored a run.
- Hietpas set the Tigers down in order in the third and the fifth innings.

Key Northwest Innings
- Hassman and Herrera drew back-to-back walks to start the second. Handzlik laid a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up and Hrdlicka drew a walk to loadthe bases. Gutierrez drew a walk to force in Hassman to tie the game, 1-1. Barratt hit a grounder to short that scored Herrera but an error by the shortstop kept the bases loaded. Rycraft hit a 2-RBI single to drive in two more runs, forcing a pitching change. Bilodeau laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Barratt for Northwest's fifth run.

- In the third, Hassman again led off with a walk. Herrera hit a double down the right field line to drive in Hassman. Handzlik followed it up with a single to score Herrera. Handdzlik was picked off but Hrdlicka drew a walk, forcing a pitching change. Gutierrez drew a walk and Barratt was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Rycraft drew a walk to force in Hrdlicka. Bilodeau grounded into a fielder's choice, allowing Gutierrez to score.

- Rycraft started the fifth inning by working a full count and driving a ball into left field for a double. Bilodeau was hit by a pitch. Figg grounded into a fielder's choice, forcing out Bilodeau at second. Hassman loaded the bases by getting hit by a pitch. Herrera cleared the bases with a double down the right field line, making it 12-1 Bearcats. Handzlik hit a single to right on an 0-2 pitch. An error by the right fielder allowed Herrera to score Northwest's 13th run.

Up Next
- Game two of the three-game series takes place at 2 p.m. on Saturday.