Hays Post
HAYS – Damian Ruiz and Tyler LaRue homered as the Hays Larks ran their win streak to 10 straight games Friday night in a 10-7 win over the Denver Cougars at Larks Park in Hays.
The Larks broke on to the scoreboard first, scoring three runs in each of the first two innings.
Ruiz got the offense started with a two-run double in the first and LaRue followed with his team-leading 11th home run putting the Larks up 3-0.
After the Cougars got a run back in the second inning, John Ceccoli doubled with the bases loaded, driving in three more runs to give Hays the 6-1 lead.
Cash Benavidez homered for Hays to put the Larks up 7-1 through three innings, but that lead was short-lived.
After three straight walks to open the top of the fifth, Denver’s Matt Bathauer homered for the second time in the game, a grand slam, making it 7-5 Larks.
Denver added two more in the inning and tied the game at seven. But Larks had an answer in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead back for good.
With one out in the fifth the Larks loaded the bases for Bryson Evans who delivered a two-run single putting Hays on top 9-7.
Hays added one more in the bottom of the seventh on their way to a 10-7 win.
Damian Ruiz was three-for-five with three runs scored, two doubles and a solo homerun. Bryson Evans and Tyler LaRue added two RBI’s.
Preston Tabor earned the win in relief. He allowed one hit with three strikeouts in two innings of scoreless relief.
Jeff Lodes got the save with two innings of scoreless relief. He allowed one run with four strikeouts.
The Larks have won 11 straight and are 24-4 overall and 13-2 in the RMBL.
UP NEXT
The Larks are at home again Saturday for the second of the three-game series with the Denver Cougars.