HAYS, Kansas - The Fort Hays State University baseball team scored eight runs in the first three innings en route to a 12-4 victory over the visiting Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats at Larks Park.

The Tigers (6-20 overall, 6-16 MIAA) took advantage of Bearcat starter Spencer Hanson and tagged the MIAA leader in opponents' batting average for five hits, eight runs (seven earned) and four walks in the first 2 1/3 innings of play Saturday. Hanson faced 17 batters and did not record a strikeout.

Northwest (12-16 overall, 10-12 MIAA) broke through initially in the top of the first as Ryan Koski reached on an infield single that scored Brett Holden. However, Drew Mackie was tagged out on the play between third and home.

The Tigers posted two in the first, three in the second and three more in the third to chase Hanson. 

Koski scored a run in the fourth as Donovan Warren was caught stealing on the play.

Peter Carlson drilled a two-run homer in the fifth to pull Northwest to within 8-4, but the Bearcats could get no closer.

The Tigers piled on with four more runs in the eighth to close out the 12-4 triumph.

Northwest will look to bounce back Sunday in doubleheader action with the Tigers. The first game is set to begin at 1 p.m.

NOTES: Fort Hays State out-hit Northwest, 13-9 ... Koski went 2-for-4 with a run scored an an RBI ... Warren sent 2-for-4 ... Gastner tallied a two-hit day in four at bats ... Carlson went 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI ... Carlson leads the Bearcats with six home runs ... Carlson has belted 20 career home runs, with 16 of those coming at Northwest ... he played his freshman season at Nebraska-Kearney in 2018 ... Carlson needs one more home run to join Northwest's top-10 career home run chart ... Northwest committed three errors in the game.