Hays Post
COLORAO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Hays Larks couldn't hold on to five-run lead and lost 18-10 to the Colorado Springs CageRats Friday at Spurgeon Field, ending an eight-game winning-streak and handing them their first Rocky Mountain Baseball League loss of the season.
The Larks (12-3, 5-1 RMBL) had a five-run lead but the CageRats used a six-run sixth, four-run seventh and three-run eighth to turn the game around.
The two teams combined to score 28 runs on 28 hits with 10 combined errors.
Trailing 3-1, the Larks scored two runs in top of the fourth, five in the fifth and a run in sixth to take 9-4 lead.
Garrett Guell hit solo home run and Bryson Evans reached on an error which scored Luis Garcia in the fourth.
All of the Larks five runs in the fifth came with two outs. Gruell hit a two-run homer. Garcia scored on a wild pitch. Later Damian Ruiz doubled to center scoring Trent Baker and Bryson Evans.
John Cecolli drove in Will Pendergrass with a sixth inning single to give the Larks their big lead.
Gruell finished 4-for-5 with a double and two home runs and four RBIs.
Tyler Schott (2-1) alloed six runs (one earned) on five hits in one inning of relief and took the loss.
Starter Colby Langford allowed three runs on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks over the first three innings.
SHAKY IN THE FIELD
The Larks scommitted six errors Friday vs. the CageRats. It's the second time this season thety've committed six errors. They have three or more errors in each of the last six games, committing 22 total during that stretch.
UP NEXT
The Larks close out the two-game series with the CageRats Saturday at 7:05 p.m. CDT. You can find the link to the web stream on Hays Post. The game will also be broadcast on KAYS (1400/94.3).