Hays Post
HAYS – Tyler LaRue had his streak of home runs snapped but his three hits helped the Hays Larks run their winning streak to six games with a 9-7 win over the Colorado RoughRiders Friday night at Larks Park.
LaRue, who had homered in three-straight games, went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. His single in the eighth scored Weston Valesek and capped a two-run eighth inning. Damian Ruiz led off the inning with a four-pitch walk, stole second, moved to third on an error then broke a 7-7 when he scored on an error.
Colorado scored three runs in the first off Larks starter Colby Langford the Larks (19-4, 9-2 RMBL) answered with three in the bottom of the second. John Ceccoli scored the first run on Bryson Evans sacrifice fly. Trent Baker singled home Garrett Gruella and Luis Garcia to tie the game 3-3.
The RoughRiders retook the lead with two runs in the third but the Larks got the lead back with three in the fifth. Ruiz started the inning with a walk then later scored on a passed ball. LaRue doubled home Valesek to tie the game 5-5. They took the lead on a double from Ceccoli which scored LaRue.
Jett Lodes (2-0) allowed no runs on one hit with three strikeouts and a walk in 2 2/3 innings of relief and picked up the win.
UP NEXT
The Larks continue to three-game series Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free courtesy of First Care Clinic/Nex-Tech/Wayne Voss State Farm Agency. It’s also the annual Larkstoberfest with authentic German food available at the ballpark.