HAYS – The Denver Cougars built an early five-run lead then held off a late charge by the Larks to end Hays’ record 14-game win streak with an 8-4 victory Friday night at Larks Park.
The Cougars (10-18-1, 6-10 RMBL) used a walk and two singles to score twice in the top of the first. They added another run in the third on a two-out single.
The Larks (26-5, 14-3 RMBL) closed the gap to 3-1 with a run in the bottom of the third on a Dylan Dreiling groundout.
The Cougars would score five runs over the next six innings to go up 8-1. Landon Anderson hit a three-run homer in the fourth then added solo shot in the seventh.
The Larks tried to rally in the bottom of the ninth. Back-to-back walks to Leo Jiminian and Mtt Cavanagh followed by a Wyatt Divis double closed the gap to 8-to-2. Cavanagh scored on a wild pitch then Grant Schmidt’s sacrifice fly scored Divis to make it 8-4. Cortland Lawson struck out and Grant Lung grounded out to end the rally and the game.
Derek Decolati (0-1) allowed six runs (one earned) on five hits with five strikeouts and a walk over four innings and suffered the loss.
The Larks were held to four hits and committed four errors which resulted in five unearned runs.
The two teams play the middle game of the three-game series Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.