BY DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post Sports
Wichita - St. Thomas Aquinas scored five runs in the fifth inning to blow open a close game and end Hays High's chances at a state title.
The day prior in the semifinals Hays had used a big five run fifth inning on their way to a quarterfinal win. The top seeded Saints turned the tables on the Indians in the semifinals.
Aquinas scored a single run in the bottom of the first inning and added two more in the third. Hays didn't get their first baserunner until the fourth when Jalen Smith hit a double. The Indians again got a runner into scoring position in the fifth. Ian McGuire laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Brett Rhoades into scoring position.
Hays though couldn't take advantage. The Saints turned the three run game into an eight run advantage with five runs in the fifth. All seven of their hits in the inning were singles.
Trace Jacobs drove in Johnny Cano and Jalen Smith with a two-run double in the top of the sixth. Aquinas put three runs back onto the board in their half of the inning for an 11-2 lead.
Karsen Flaska worked his way around the bases in the top of the seventh to score the game's final run at 11-3.
Aquinas (26-4) gets the chance to defend their 5A championship. Hays (19-9) will play for third place around 3:30.
Johnny Cano (5-2) went 4 2/3 innings for the Indians. Trenton Welch pitched the final 1 1/3. Nic Sabers struck out nine batters in his start for the Saints.