HAYS – After playing shorthanded all summer, the Hays Larks have added seven players to their roster for next week’s NBC World Series. Manager Frank Leo announced Thursday the addition of a couple of pitchers, two catchers, a couple of infielders and an outfielder.
The Larks are also losing four current members of the team. Pitchers Landon Shirer and Brady Rose, catcher Jacob Wyeth and infielder Grant Lung will not be available at the World Series.
One of the newcomers, infielder Cruz Aranda who played at Salina South and played at Division I Campbell University this spring, is already with the team and started at second base in the regular season finale Wednesday.
Another addition is no stranger to the Larks. Right-handed pitcher Carlos Tavera joins the team for the postseason for a second straight year. Tavera made two appearances in last year’s NBC World Series. He played for the Larks in 2018 and went 4-0 in nine appearances. Tavera was 3-1 with a 1.71 in the shortened season this spring at the University to Texas at Arlington.
Larks roster additions...
INF Cruz Aranda: Salina South graduate. Played two seasons at Neosho County CC. Played this spring at Division I Campbell University. Transferring to Pittsburg State.
RHP Pitcher Zach Curry: 2-1, 8.68 ERA in nine appearances (five starts) at Pittsburg State this spring.
Catcher Gus Freeman: Played in 18 games for the Derby Twins this summer. The Leawood, Kan. native attended Blue Valley North HS and played his freshman year at Cowley County CC this spring.
RHP Carlos Tavera: Making third appearance with the Larks. Played on the 2018 team and was added for last year’s NBC World Series. Played this spring at UT-Arlington.
1B Garrett McGowan: A native of Blue Springs, Mo. who was a junior this past season at the University of Illinois. Played two seasons at Dodge City CC where he broke the programs home run record.
C Hector Corillo: Tulsa native who batted .333 in 30 games at Dodge City CC this spring.
OF Brennen van Breusegen: Columbia, Illinois native started 14 games and hit .306 this spring at Central Missouri.