By RANDY GONZALES

rgonzales@dailynews.net

Both Hays Legion coach Mike Jenner and Hays Junior Legion coach Doug Dreher hope for better defense in this weekend's Wild West Fest.

The Hays Legion is coming off a doubleheader sweep of rival Great Bend earlier in the week. but defense was a problem.

"We won those two against Great Bend, which is good," Jenner said. "They were wins, but we did some things we tried to correct (Tuesday) in practice."

The Hays Legion is 17-8 heading into the weekend. The Eagles play their tourney opener 2 p.m. Friday against the Independence Bears at Larks Park. Left-hander Matt Maskus (2-1) is the probable starter.

The Hays Junior Legion is 8-23 after being swept by Russell Monday night. The Junior Legion's first game is 4 p.m. Friday against Niwot (Colo.) at the Hays High field. Dreher was unsure who will pitch in the opener.

"We've got to get better," Dreher said. "We haven't been very good lately.

"We've got to catch the ball, throw the baseball, that's what it comes down to," Dreher added.

Adjusting to wood bats will be key, too.

"With wood, you can't hit it off the handle and let it drop in," Jenner said. "Power hits will be few and far between. More singles until we get used to it."

Jenner wants this tourney to help the Eagles get ready for postseason play. Hays will host the zone tourney later this month.

"Basically, I want to get our defense back," Jenner said. "Real hard plays, we make, no problem. It's the routine stuff we have trouble with."

Jenner wants his pitchers to be accustomed to throwing more; in postseason play, games are longer in length.

"I'm trying to get us as many innings as I can now," Jenner said. "When you go to zone and state, it's nine-inning games. Try to go as deep as we can."