Hays Post
FORT COLLINS, Colo – The Hays Larks raced out to an early lead then held off a ninth inning rally and beat the Fort Collins Foxes 9-8 Saturday at City Park Field for the two-game Rocky Mountain Baseball League series sweep.
The Larks (17-3, 13-2 RMBL) had a five-run lead entering the bottom of the ninth but the Foxes rallied to score four runs with two outs but Garrett Hicks came in to record the final out to end the game.
The Larks grabbed the early lead on an RBI single from Wilbert Espinal in the top of the first. After the Foxes tied the game with a run in the bottom of the inning, Thomas Lyssy doubled which drove in a run in the second. Taber Stokes added a two-run double in the third to push the lead to 4-1.
Stokes added another run-scoring double in the fifth, Wilbert Espinal and Houston Russell added RBI doubles in a two-run sixth then Garrett Gruell plated two with a double in the seventh.
James Wright hit a two-out grand slam off of Aiden Schidgall with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.
Garrett Hicks got the final out and picked up the save. Nolan Wilson allowed two earned runs on six hits over four innings and was awarded the win.
Seven of the Larks 12 hits were doubles but they stranded 12 baserunners.
UP NEXT
The Larks continue their Colorado road trip at the Gameday Angels Monday.