Hays Post
PARKER, Colo. – Three Hays Larks pitches combined on a three-hitter, but the Larks failed to score and lost 1-0 to the Gameday Angels Monday night at Double Angel Ballpark. It’s the first time the Larks have been shoutout since July 19, 2023 when they lost 5-0 in the second game of a doubleheader with the Liberal Bee Jays.
The Angels took advantage of two walks and then scored on an Owen Best single in the bottom of the second. They would get only one hit past the third inning.
The Larks (17-4, 13-3 RMBL) had their chances, stranding five base runners in the first four innings, three of which were in scoring position.
Their best scoring chance came in the sixth after ssngles from Garrett Gruell, Wilbert Espinal and Houston Russell loaded the bases with no outs but the next three batters struck out to end the threat.
The Larks threatened again in the ninth. Kaleb Duncan doubled with two outs then advanced to third on Kaiden Ashton’s single, but Will Carpenter struck out to end the game.
The Larks out-hit the Angels 11-3 but stranded 11 base runners, seven of which were in scoring position.
Logan LaPierre (0-1) allowed the one run on two hits with four strikeouts and two walks over two innings and suffered the loss.
Felix Brunner and Garrett Hicks combined to allow no runs on one hit over six innings of relief.
Kiaden Ashton had three of the Larks’ 11 hits. Gruell and Russell both had two hits, all singles.
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
The Larks have out-hit their opponents in each of the six games of the road trip but have stranded 10 or more base runners in five of the six games.
RARE ROAD SHUTOUT
Monday's game was the first time the Larks have been shutout on the road since losing 3-0 in the first game of doubleheader against the Derby Twins on July 14, 2017.
UP NEXT
The Larks close out the seven-game road trip at the Colorado Roughriders Tuesday night. They return for a non-league game with the Junction City Brigade on July 4.