Hays Post
HAYS – The Hays Larks went into their key mid-week series with the Liberal Bee Jays with a chance to take a stranglehold atop the Rocky Mountain Baseball League standings. After a second-straight doubleheader split on Wednesday, they maintained their 2 1/2 game lead over the Bee Jays but thanks to forfeits from the Gameday Angels, they wrap up their fourth-straight Rocky Mountain Baseball League title
The Larks (28-5, 17-4 RMBL) overcame a three-run deficit and won the first game 12-3. The Bee Jays took the rain-shortened second game 5-0.
John Ceccoli had four hits and drove in five runs to lead the comeback in game one. Damian Ruiz and Garrett Gruell both had three hits. Ceccoli hit one of his two home runs, a solo shot in the top of the third, to close the gap to 3-2. His second home run, another solo shot, gave the Larks a 4-3 lead in the fifth. The Baylor product added an RBI single in the Larks six-run sixth and a two-run single in the seventh.
Garrett Gruell added a two-run homer in the decisive sixth inning. Damain Ruiz stole four bases.
Starting pitcher Dayne Pengelly (1-0) allowed three runs on four hits with four strikeouts and three walks over four innings and picked up the win. Michael Cruz and Jeff Lodes combined to allow only one hit in three shutout innings of relief.
The Bee Jays (22-11, 15-7 RMBL) scored three in the third then two more in the sixth in game two which was called with one out in the sixth inning due to weather.
The Larks were held to three singles.
Kam Walton (1-2) allowed three unearned runs on three hits with seven strikeouts and two walks over four innings and suffered the loss.
NO RUNS
The shutout in game two was the first for the Larks this summer and their first since a 4-0 loss to the Wellington Heat on July 22, 2019. It was the first time the Larks were shutout at home since July 8, 2016 when they lost 2-0 to the Haysville Aviators.
LEAGUE CHAMPS
The Larks wrapped up their fourth Rocky Mountain Baseball League title in their four years in the league. The Larks clinched the crown due to three forfeit wins from the Gameday Angels who opted to not makeup a rainout from earlier this summer. The Angels were scheduled to play three in Hays next week.
The Bee Jays picked up a forfeit win over the Colorado Springs CageRats. The two were scheduled to play in Liberal Friday but the CageRats suspended operations for the rest of the season.
UP NEXT
The Larks continue their homestand Friday with the first of a three-game weekend non-league series with the Western Nebraska Pioneers. Admission is free courtesy of eyeSMILE Vision and Dental, Schaffer & Associates Ameriprise Financial.