Hays Post Sports
WICHITA — The Hays Larks built an early five-run lead and held off Tess's Army 7-4 Sunday afternoon in sweltering conditions at Eck Stadium to improve to 2-0 in pool play at the NBC World Series.
The Larks (28-7) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Sean Keenen drew a bases-loaded walk. They added two more runs in the second on an RBI single by Max Flowers and a fielder's choice from Rayner Beene.
After Tess's Army scored on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the second, Hays answered with three runs in the third to stretch its lead to 6-1. Tanner Norman drove in the first run with a fielder's choice before Beene followed with a two-run single.
Tess's Army chipped away with one run in the fourth on a Diego Cardenas homer and two in the fifth to cut the deficit to 6-4, but the Larks got an insurance run in the sixth when Keenen delivered an RBI double.
Tess's Army threatened in the eighth, loading the bases with two outs, but Aiden Robinson escaped the jam with a strikeout. Jaxon Ramos then retired the side in order in the ninth to earn the save.
Starter Ty Schmeidler allowed two runs on three hits while striking out three and walking seven over 3 1/3 innings. Hunter Cowgill then gave two runs on one hit over the next 1 2/3 innings. Ty Parker, Aiden Robinson and Jaxon Ramos combined for four scoreless innings of relief to close out the game with Robinson picking up the win.
Cooper Holtorf had two of the Larks six hits. Beene and Keenen both drove in two runs.
Up next
The Larks wrap up pool play Tuesday against the Alaska Goldpanners. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.