Hays Post Sports
WICHITA – Andrew Knoor tossed a complete game three-hitter, leading the Seattle Cheney Studs to an 8-3 victory over the Hays Larks in the opening round of bracket play Wednesday at the NBC World Series at Eck Stadium.
The loss ends the Larks' season, while the Studs advance to Thursday's quarterfinals against Lonestar Baseball Club.
Seattle Cheney scored single runs in the third and fourth innings before breaking the game open with four runs in the sixth to build a 6-0 lead.
The Larks got on the board with two runs in the seventh. Cooper Holtorf and Hutch Russell delivered RBI singles to cut the deficit to 6-2.
The Studs added single runs in the eighth and ninth innings before Hays scored its final run in the bottom of the ninth on Owen Coll's RBI groundout.
Brian Walters (0-1) took the loss for the Larks, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out six and walking four over 5 1/3 innings.
Max Flowers collected two of Hays' four hits. Holtorf, Russell and Coll each drove in a run.
The Larks finished 2-2 at the NBC World Series and closed the season with a 28-9 record. Seven of their nine losses came over their final 15 games.
Wednesday’s Results
Austin Gold Sox 3, Tess’s Army 2
Seattle Blackfins 3, BTL Hornets 1
Hutchinson Monarchs 2, Liberal Bee Hays 1
Seattle Cheney Studs 8, Hays Larks 3
Thursday’s Quarterfinal Schedule
12pm - Austin Gold Sox vs. Santa Barbara Foresters
3pm - Seattle Blackfins vs. Junction City Brigade
6pm - Hutchinson Monarchs vs. Alaska Goldpanners
8:30pm - Seattle Cheney Studs vs. Lonestar Baseball Club