
HAYS - Hays High hosted Dodge City in a Western Athletic Conference doubleheader Tuesday. The Indians completed their conference schedule with the two games and grabbed the 2023 title.
The KABC rankings came out during the doubleheader where Hays found themselves at #9 in 5A.
Hays improves to 7-1 on the year. All of their games have been against conference opponents. Dodge City has lost six in a row and is 3-6 on the year and 0-3 in WAC play.
Game 1: Hays 12, Dodge City 2 (5 innings)
After falling behind by two runs, Hays scored eight in the third and four in the fourth for a run rule 12-2 victory after five innings. The Indians couldn't take advantage of runners in scoring position in each of the first two innings.
Dodge City didn't get a runner aboard in the first two innings but managed to score two runs in the third aided by a Hays High error. The Red Demons had their own problems in the bottom half of the inning.
Hays recorded just two hits in the eight run third. Dodge City walked six batters and committed four errors. The Indians added four more runs in the fourth on just one hit, three more walks and an errant throw on a fielder's choice.
Greg Hughes worked through four innings for the victory. Tanner Boxberger finished the game in the fifth. Brayden Dreher drove in four runs and had two hits. Carter Graham also had two hits.
Game 2: Hays 7, Dodge City 3
Hays scored runs in four different innings and claimed the WAC title with a 7-3 win. The Indians used three different pitchers to navigate the 45 mph wind with Nolan Dreher taking the win.
Hays scored a single run in the second and then two runs in each the third, fourth and fifth innings. The Red Demons scored one run in the third and two in the seventh.
Cooper Sanders had three hits and Brayden Dreher two in the victory.