HAYS, Kan. (Feb. 26, 2016) -- The Mules dropped their MIAA opener at Fort Hays State in heartbreaking fashion, falling 8-7 on a walkoff home run in the 10th inning at Larks Park. The Mules have now lost five one-run games on the season and sit at 1-6 overall and 0-1 in MIAA play.

The Mules jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second on Blake Wilfong's RBI groundout and they made it 4-0 in the fifth on a Matt Elliott two-run home run and Bennett Oliver solo shot. Fort Hays State (7-5, 1-0 MIAA) cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fifth on RBI singles from Ty Redington and Caleb Cherryholmes.

FHSU cut the lead to 4-3 in the sixth on Clayton Basgall's RBI single, but the Mules got that run back in the seventh to make it 5-3. Elliott led off with a single, stole second and third and scored on Jake Alexander's sacrifice fly to centerfield.

The Tigers rallied to take a 7-5 lead in the bottom of the eighth with four runs. Alex Weiss had a two-run single to tie the game and Basgall homered to left to put FHSU in front.

The Mules rallied off of Tiger closer Giles Fox in the top of the ninth to tie the game. Elliott and Farrell led off with back-to-back doubles to make it 7-6 and following a sacrifice bunt, Oliver brought home Elliott with sac fly to center.

The Tigers put two runners on with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Lucas Williams (0-1) got a 6-4-3 double play to calm the threat and force extra innings.

In the top of the 10th the Mules loaded the bases with only one out, but Cole Distler was thrown out on a force play at the plate for the second out and a ground out ended the inning with the game still tied. Weiss then provided the heroics for the Tigers, homering to left field on a 3-2 count leading off the inning.

The Mules out-hit the Tigers 13-12 in the game, but the Mules left 10 runners on base.

Williams took the loss for UCM after allowing three runs on four hits in 2.0 innings of relief. Tyler House allowed just two runs on five hits in 4.2 innings, but was lifted in the fifth for Ben Kelsch. He lasted two-thirds of an inning, allowing one run on one hits with two walks and a strikeout. Austin Southmayd pitched 1.2 innings of relief, giving up two runs on two hits.

Fox (2-0) got the win for FHSU after failing to conver the save opportunity in the ninth. He gave up two runs on three hits in two innings of work. Starter D.J. Carr allowed five runs on 10 hits in 6.2 innings pitched.

Game two of the series is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. at Larks Park.