Larks to open final week of league play

By The Hays Daily News

The Hays Larks split a Jayhawk League doubleheader with Derby on Sunday, winning the opener at Larks Park 8-1 before losing the second game 6-2.

On Saturday night in the series opener, Hays was a 4-0 winner over Derby.

In Sunday's opener, the Larks were the visitors on the scoreboard, as Hays was making up a rainout in Derby from earlier in the season.

Larks right-hander Jacob Booden pitched a complete game, allowing five hits, with two walks and eight strikeouts. Brian Martin hit a three-run homer in the fourth to give Hays a 6-1 lead. Andrew Heck hit two singles and a double and scored four times.

In the second game, Hays (19-16 overall, 15-14 Jayhawk) led 1-0 before Derby (20-22, 11-19) scored three runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh.

Hays starter Brad Propst (0-1) took the loss. He had a shutout until allowing three runs in the sixth. Derrick Sampel allowed three runs in relief.

Hays got a run in the first on Cody Gougler's RBI single and scored again in the seventh on a fielder's choice by Elvin Rodriguez.

In Saturday's series opener, the Larks improved to 7-0 when Heck is the starting pitcher. Heck (6-0) pitched a complete game, allowing six hits with no walks and eight strikeouts.

Elvin Rodriguez's two-run single in the second gave Hays the early lead. The Larks added a run in the third on a sacrifice fly by Gougler and another in the sixth on Brandon Eckerle's RBI groundout.

Hays and Derby finish the series tonight at 7 at Larks Park.