HAYS – The Hays Larks waited on a 48-minute rain delay then overcame an early 2-0 deficit and beat the Gameday Saints 10-2 in their regular season finale Wednesday night at Larks Park.
The Saints (19-11, 17-11 RMBL) got a home run in their first at-bat after the delay then added another run in the third for the early lead.
The Larks (20-8, 20-8 RMBL) answered with seven runs in the fourth. The first three came when Jacob Wyeth has hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Sean Cooper and Palmer Hutchison followed with back-to-back walks with the bases loaded which gave the Larks the lead for good.
Cruz Aranda, a new addition for the NBC World Series, hit a ground ball to short but the Saints boot a potential inning ending double play. Leo Jiminian then hit a soft liner to right field which scored two more runs. Matt Cavanagh’s sacrifice fly to left scored the final run of the inning.
The Larks added two more runs in the fifth on a Palmer Hutchison single and passed ball.
Wyatt Divis walked and scored on an error in the sixth.
The Larks used six pitchers with Ryan Ruder (6-1) picking up the win. Starter Drew Buhr gave up a run on three hits in two innings. Ruder followed and gave up an unearned run on three hits over two frames. Paddy Walsh had two scoreless innings and was followed by Brady Rose, Jacob Ensz and Wyatt Divis who all pitched a scoreless inning.
Next up for the Larks is the NBC World Series which begins Monday at Eck Stadium in Wichita and Hobart-Detter Field Hutchinson. The Larks take on the Kansas City All-Stars Monday at 6 p.m. at Eck Stadium.