HAYS – The Hays Larks late inning rally came up short and their seven-game win streak came to an end with a 3-2 loss to the Denver Cougars Saturday night at Larks Park.
Cameron Pehrson hit a two-out, two-run homer to right field to pull the Larks (19-7, 19-7 RMBL) within a run in the bottom of the eighth.
Jake Wyeth led off the ninth with a single. Courtesy runner Jace Armstrong advanced to second on Sean Cooper’s bunt then moved to third when Leo Jiminian was thrown out at first when his line drive ricocheted off the pitchers foot. Matt Cavanagh followed with a chopper to short and appeared to be the throw but was called out at first to end the game.
The Cougars (19-14, 17-10 RMBL) scored two in the first off Larks starter Ryan Ruder. They added what proved to be the game-winning run in the eighth when reliever Wyatt Divis knicked the jersey of Braden Boisvert with the bases loaded.
Ruder went a season-high 5 1/3 innings but took the loss after allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits with three strikeouts and no walks.
Brady Rose struck out five and walked two and gave up a run in relief. Divis closed with 2/3 scoreless.
Denver starter Dylan Munroe held the Larks hitless through the first four innings. He got out of a jam in the fifth when center fielder Mack McKisson threw out Palmer Hutchison at the plate to end the inning and keep the game scoreless.
The Larks only other scoring threat came in the seventh when Corbin Truslow reached on a leadoff walk but was stranded at third.
The Larks and Cougars close out the three-game series with a non-league game Sunday at 6 p.m. Pregame at 5:45 p.m. on KAYS (94.3-FM, 1400-AM).