Hays Post
WICHITA – The Hays Larks took advantage of nine walks and three pitchers combined on a two-hit shutout as they took down the Air Capital Flyers 8-0 in their first game of the NBC World Series Friday in Wichita.
The Larks scored in every inning but the second.
After starter Blake Lehmbeck retired the side in order in the first the Larks took advantage of an error for a 1-0 lead, but they left the bases loaded.
Hays added another single run in the third, scoring on a Garrett Gruell RBI single for a 2-0 lead.
The Larks big inning came in the fourth when they took advantage of six walks, three with the bases loaded for a 5-0 lead through four innings.
Thomas Lyssy tripled to lead of the fifth and scored on a Houston Russell sacrifice fly giving Hays a 6-0 lead through five innings.
In the sixth Wilbert Espinal doubled in a run and Gruell followed with an RBI single, all with two outs to put Hays up 8-0 through six innings.
Hays then retired the Flyers in order in the top of the seventh inning on their way to the 8-0 victory.
Lehmbeck earned the win for Hays. He allowed just two hits with three walks and five strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. The Larks bullpen combined for 2 2/3 shutout innings with five strikeouts.
Gruell collected two hits and he and Espinal each drove in a pair of runs.
The Larks are 29-8 and 1-0 in pool play.
They will take on the Kansas Cannons at noon on Sunday.
The Cannons are 0-1 in pool play after a loss to Lonestar Baseball Club.
Lonestar will take on the Air Capital Flyers at 6 a.m. on Sunday.