By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post Sports
HAYS - Two big innings led the visiting Manhattan Indians to a 12-5 win over the hometown Indians of Hays High Friday in the opening game of the Western Plains Diamond Classic at Leo-Harper Field.
Hays (11-7) was one strike away from getting out of the second inning unscathed. Manhattan had a runner at second with two outs and the batter in a 1-2 pitch count. Two walks, two hit batters, and a single later Hays was trailing 4-0.
Manhattan (13-4) added to their lead with two more runs in the top of the fifth. Three of the four runners that reached in the inning did so on either a walk or was hit by a pitch.
Hays put runners in scoring position in each the fourth and fifth innings but didn't take advantage.
Trailing 7-0 in the bottom of the sixth got their bats going. One out walks from Carter Graham and Kaleb Roe were driven in on a double by Trace Jacobs. Bennett Smith followed with a single that brought Jacobs in to score.
The inning continued with an run scoring double by Landon Hardman for a 7-4 score. Weston Werth drove in Hardman with a double for the final run. Hays closed the deficit down to 7-5.
Manhattan got all five runs back in the top of the seventh. Two errors and a three run homerun moved Manhattan back in front by seven runs at 12-5. Hays didn't threaten in the bottom of the seventh.
Trenton Welch (1-1) allowed four hits over five innings. He allowed six runs, five earned, walked five and struck out six. He hit three batters. Ian McGuire allowed three hits, three runs, walked one and struck out two in an inning plus. Landon Hardman made his season debut on the mound allowing three runs, two hits and walked one over one inning.
Hays will face Brush (CO) in the final game of the first day.