Hays Post Sports
PARKER, Colo. – The Hays Larks scored eight runs in each of the first two innings and defeated the Gameday Angels 27-3 Thursday at Double Angel Field. The Larks hit five home runs and had nine extra base hits in the game which ended after seven innings by run rule.
It’s the most runs scored by a Larks team since they tallied 26 at the Derby Twins on June 26, 2018. Their 22 hits are the most in a game since collecting 24 at the Colorado Springs CageRats on June 23, 2023.
Paul Smith, Taber Stokes, Trent Baker, Dylan LaRue and Lane Sparks all homered for the Larks (16-4-1, 12-4 RMBL). Garrett Gruell had three hits and was a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. Kaleb Duncan, Sparks and CJ Reid also had three hits. LaRue drove in six runs, Sparks had five RBIs and Stokes knocked in four runs.
Starter Nolan Wilson (2-0) allowed two runs on three hits with seven strikeouts and two walks over four innings and picked up the win. Jordan Stribling followed with two shutout innings. Adrian Najar allowed a solo homer in the final inning.
Eight of the Larks first nine batters had hits in the top of the first. LaRue hit a three-run homer, Stokes a two-run shot and Baker a three-run blast in the eight-run second. Sparks hit the Larks third grand slam of the season in fifth and Smith added a three-run shot an inning later.
Two of the three Angels (8-10, 4-7 RMBL) runs came on solo home runs from Owen Best and James Harbison.
UP NEXT
The Larks close out their three-game Colorado road swing with another game against the Gameday Angels on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. CDT.