Hays Post
HAYS – Tyler LaRue had two hits, Damian Ruiz drove in two runs and the Hays Larks stole a season-high eight bases and beat the Dodge City A's 11-1 in a seven-inning, run-rule game Tuesday at Larks Park. The Larks have now won a season-best nine-straight games.
The Larks (22-4, 12-2 RMBL) scored four runs in the first inning, one in the second, two in the fourth then put the game away with a four-run fifth. They have now won 18-straight home games dating back to last season.
Ruiz got the Larks on the board in the bottom of the first when he stole home. Weston Valasek scored on a wild pitch and Tyler LaRue scored on an error. The Larks scored their fourth run on an error.
Trent Baker scored on a wild pitch to push the lead to 5-0 in the second.
Ruiz scored on a balk then John Ceccoli singled the center which drove in LaRue to give the Larks an 7-0 lead in the fourth.
Three straight walks loaded the bases for Hays in the fifth. Ruiz doubled which drove in two runs. Kam Walton drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and Ruiz scored on a passed ball.
Tyler Schott (3-1) pitched two innings of scoreless relief with three strikeouts and no walks and picked up the win.
Starting pitcher Dylan Hill allowed on unearned run on two hits with five strikeouts and one walk. Michael Cruz struck out two and walked one in the seventh.
STREAKING
The Larks are on a season-best nine-game winning streak. It's their longest win streak since they won 14-straight in 2021. The Larks improve to 14-0 at home this summer and have won 18-straight home games going back to last season.
DRAFTED
Pitcher Colby Langford was selected in the 17th round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Houston Astros. Langford just completed his sophomore season at Murray State (Okla.) College and had committed to Oklahoma. He was 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA in five appearances with three starts this summer with the Larks.
Former TMP-Marian standout Carson Jacobs signed a free agent contract with the Chicago White Sox. Jacobs was 2-2 with a 9.15 ERA. He struck out 24 and walked 15 in 19 2/3 innings this summer but allowed only 1 walk in his last four appearances (8 innings).
UP NEXT
The Larks travel to Dodge City to play the A’s Wednesday night at Cavalier Field. They then return home to play their final 16 games at Larks Park.