HAYS – The Hays Larks used some early offense and solid pitching to defeat the Northern Colorado Roughnecks 10-1 in their season opener in front of a capacity crowd Friday night at Larks Park. The Larks scored three in the first and four in the second and were never threatened the rest of the way.
Sam Crowell hit a three-run homer to get the Larks on the board in the first. Leo Jiminian’s triple to right field scored three to highlight the four-run second.
Cam Pehrson had three of the Larks 10 hits and drove in two runs. Crowell finished the night with four RBIs and Jiminian drove in three.
Three Larks pitchers held the Roughnecks hitless until the ninth. Starter Wyatt Divis (1-0) pitched the first three innings and struck out five. Jackson Blue allowed on unearned run over the next three innings with three strikeouts and four walks. Netherlands native Luuk ter Beek pitched the final three innings, allowing two hits with four strikeouts and no walks and picked up the save.
The Larks and Roughnecks continue the season opening series Saturday at 7:00 p.m.