Aug 05, 2020

Larks rally to stay unbeaten at NBC World Series

Posted Aug 05, 2020 7:03 AM

HUTCHINSON – The Hays Larks overcame four errors and 16 stranded base runners to beat the Lonestar (TX) Baseball Club 5-3 late Tuesday and early Wednesday at Hobart-Detter Field and advance to Thursday’s winner’s bracket semifinals at the 86th NBC World Series.

The Larks (22-8) trailed 2-0 after four innings but scored two in the top of the fifth to tie then taook the lead with a run in the sixth. After Lonestar (19-3) scored a run in the bottom of the seventh, the Larks answered with two unearned runs in the eighth.

Carlos Tavera struck out 11 in six innings for the Larks. The UT-Arlington product who played for Hays in 2018 then again in last year’s NBC World Series, allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits. Trevor Munsch got a big strikeout with two on in the eighth to preserve the two-run lead and pick up the win. Jacob Ensz worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save.

Cameron Pehrson’s bloop single to center scored Matt Cavanagh to cut the lead to 2-1 in the fifth. Brennen van Breusegen’s infield single scored Wyatt Divis with the tying run.

Cruz Aranda led off the sixth with a triple to left then scored on a wild pitch to give the Larks a 3-2 lead which they would hold until bottom of the seventh when LBC scored when Pehrson couldn’t handle a throw from catcher Max McGuire on a steal attempt allowing Seth Stephenson to score.

The Larks would take the lead for good in the top of the eighth. Matt Cavanagh opened the inning with an infield single then advanced to second on a Wyatt Divis walk. Cameron Pehrson then reached safely on a bunt to lead the bases. After back-to-back strikeouts by Garrett McGowan and van Breusegen, Max McGuire grounded to third but the throw was dropped by the first baseman allowing Cavanagh to score the go-ahead run. Cruz Aranda then knocked in the second run with an infield single that deflected off the glove of the third baseman.

The Larks get an off-day Wednesday. They will play the Cheney Diamond Dawgs at a yet to be determined time Thursday at Eck Stadium.

Tuesday’s NBC World Series results…
Kansas City All-Stars 11, Houston MVP Prospects 10 (Houston eliminated)
Liberal BJ’s 2, Hutchinson Monarchs 0
Cheney Diamond Dawgs 5, Colorado Cyclones 3
Santa Barbara Foresters 8, Denver Cougars 0
Hays Larks 5, Lonestar (TX) Baseball Club 3