By CONOR NICHOLL

cnicholl@dailynews.net

Right-hander Chase Johnson will have a new role Saturday night for the Hays Larks, one of several changes for the Larks' pitching staff.

The team's closer all summer, Johnson (0-0, 3.72 earned-run average, three saves) will start in he middle game of the three-game series against Nevada (Mo.), his first start in 16 appearances for Hays.

Johnson will replace Jason Stacy, who hurt his elbow. Stacy, coming off Tommy John surgery, might miss the rest of the summer, according to Larks' manager Frank Leo. Stacy is 1-2 with a 3.45 ERA in seven starts, but worked a season-worst one-third of an inning in a loss to Liberal last Saturday.

On Sunday, Casey Hauptman (4-1, 2.76 ERA), the team's usual No. 4 starter, will move up and will take Eddie Carl's spot in the rotation. Carl (3-3, 5.35 ERA) has some arm problems after his start last Sunday against Liberal and will throw on the side.

"Eddie Carl had a little tender elbow after he came out of the game last Sunday, so we are going to give him a little bit more rest," Leo said.

Johnson, who started in high school, features a low to mid-90s fastball, slider and changeup. He has dominated several opponents in the eighth and ninth innings throughout the summer and has 37 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings.

The 17.22 strikeouts per nine innings is on pace to set the all-time Larks record, breaking the mark of 15.5 set by Jim Miller in 2003.

"They are all plus-pitches," Larks catcher Eric Roof said after a Johnson save early this summer. "When he takes the mound, you know that it is pretty much lights-out, game's over. His slider is untouchable and his changeup, whenever you are sitting fastball 93-94 and he throws that changeup, it is almost unhittable."

Leo hopes Johnson can throw five innings and will be on a pitch count. Last Sunday, Johnson was extended to a season-high three innings against Liberal. He allowed no runs and struck out seven against five walks.

"He looked good for three innings," Leo said. "Lot of life in his fastball. I talked with Eric after the game and he said, 'Coach I definitely think he had four in him tonight.' "

Roof has unique night

Roof was supposed to have the day off Wednesday at Dodge City. In the first inning, starting shortstop Mike Brownstein was ejected. With shortstop Andrew Heck starting the game on the mound, Roof, who played all nine positions earlier this season, was the only option at second base.

"I told Eric we were going to rest him," Leo said.

Roof was keeping the scorebook in the dugout when Leo walked up to him and told him to go bat.

Roof, who replaced Brownstein with one strike, was supposed to bunt. He missed a couple attempts and then delivered a line-drive RBI single.

Roof finished 4-for-4 with three runs scored, three RBIs and a homer. At second, he had an over-the-shoulder catch and turned a double play.

Bunts

Rafael Neda caught Wednesday's game against Dodge City, his first game behind the plate after missing time with an injured finger. Leo said Neda had no problems. ... Hays is 1-2 against Nevada this season, the only Jayhawk League team it has a losing record against. All three games have been on the road.