NEWTON - A furious seventh inning comeback fell one run short for the Hays High Indians in the first round of Regional play in Newton on Wednesday.
Hays scored five runs in the final inning all with two outs. Lainey Hardman sparked the late rally with a single followed by triples by Ashlynn Zimmer and Aubree Thomas. The Indians put the tying and go ahead run into scoring position but could not extend the game, falling 9-8.
Four errors over the first two innings by the Hays High Indians helped Andover Central plate eight runs and grab an early lead they would never give up.
The Jaguars pushed six across the plate in the first inning that saw Hays commit three errors. The Indians throwing error in the second inning plated two more runs and increased the Andover Central lead to 8-0.
Avery Solida scored the Indians first run in the bottom of the second. Hays couldn't take advantage of multiple base runners in each of the first four innings, stranding eight.
Highlights
Hays totaled 16 hits on the day but stranded 13 runners. Andover Central tallied 11 hits and stranded six. They committed two errors in the game, both in the seventh inning. Hays finished with the four errors from the first two innings.
Ashlynn Zimmer had a three hit game. Lainey Hardman, Avery Solida, Elle Dreiling, Riley Dreher and Aubree Thomas all had multi-hit games.
Dreher took the loss in the circle.
Coach Abby Gillan
Hays finishes the year at 13-9. Andover Central advances to the Regional Championship at 10-11.