WICHITA - The Hays Larks outhit Cheney but came up one run short to the Diamond Dawgs, losing 2-1 in their winner's bracket semifinal game at Eck Stadium Thursday night at the 86th NBC World Series.
The Larks (22-9) broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth when Cameron Pehrson doubled down the right field line with two outs then scored on Corbin Truslow's base hit.
Cheney (35-6), who shared the Sunflower Collegiate League title with Hutchinson, answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth. Larks starter Rustin Hays walked the lead off batter then following a sacrifice bunt, designated hitter Davis Sims singled to center to drive in Jackson Glenn.
Drew Buhr replaced Hays in the sixth. He entered with the bases loaded and one out and got a strikeout and lineout to get out of the inning. He gave up a leadoff single in the seventh then following a sacrifice bunt, a single to center by George Specht scored Ed Scott with the go-ahead and eventual winning run.
Brennen van Breusegen was hit by a pitch to start the Larks ninth. Dylan Dreiling's sacrifice bunt advanced him to second. Pinch-hitter Sean Cooper singled to left but a grounder to short and strikeout ended the threat and the game.
Buhr (2-4) took the loss for the Larks, allowing one runon two hits with a two strikeouts and a walk.
van Breusegen had three of the Larks eight hits was on base four times. Pehrson had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 17 games.
The Larks are 2-1 in the tournament and will play the Hutchinson Monarchs at 8:30 p.m. in an elimination game Friday at Eck Stadium.