Hays Post Sports
HAYS – The Hays Larks built a big lead then held off a ninth inning Denver rally and beat the Cougars 9-6 in the middle game of their three-game series at Larks Park.
The Larks (27-4-1, 19-4 RMBL) ran their winning streak to 12 straight overall and 14 straight at home. The Cougars (10-20, 8-15 RMBL) drop their third straight and are winless in five tries versus the Larks this season.
Paul Smith got the Larks on the board with a two-run homer in the fourth. Lorenzo Rios added and RBI double and CJ Reid a run scoring triple to push the lead to 4-0.
After Denver scored a run in the top of the fifth, the Larks answered with two in the bottom of the inning on a pair of groundouts.
The Larks plated two in the sixth on a Kaleb Duncan RBI double and Wilbert Espinal two-run home run to push the lead to 9-1.
The Cougars put together a rally in the ninth with a solo and three-run homer. They then got a two-out, two-run double to pull within three. Adrian Najar got a strikeout to end the rally and the game.
Trent Baker (3-1) allowed one run on two hits with two strikeouts and four walks over the first five innings and picked up the win. Brooks Jones followed with two scoreless innings. Adrian Najar gave up five runs on six hits with five strikeouts and two walks over the final two frames.
Lorenzo Rios had three of the Larks 15 hits. Wilbert Espinal and Paul Smith both drove in three runs.
UP NEXT
The Larks go for the season sweep of the Cougars Sunday night when they wrap up the series at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free courtesy of Meier Electric, Ellis Estates and Bruckner Truck Sales. Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item which will be donated to the Community Assistance Center.