Larks win one, lose one in Liberal

By The Hays Daily News

LIBERAL -- The Hays Larks split two games in one night on Tuesday against Jayhawk League foe Liberal. The Larks won the first game, the completion of a suspended game from earlier this season, 7-6, and lost the regularly-scheduled game, 8-7.

Ace Andrew Heck worked the final two innings in the completion of the suspended game, allowing two runs on five hits. Hays tacked on two runs in the eighth and one in the ninth. Heck ended the game when he coaxed a grounder to second base. Liberal left the tying run at third. Patrick Cooper, who is no longer with the team after signing with the Detroit Tigers, got the win.

Hays (17-13 overall, 13-11 Jayhawk League) took a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the second inning of the second game. Liberal (25-11, 17-11) scored four in the second to tie before Hays tacked on three more in the top of the third to lead 7-4. Liberal scored one in the bottom of the third, added two runs in the fifth and one in the sixth. Hays had 10 hits, including two apiece from Cam Brown, Justin Klusak and Sean Wilson. Brown and Klusak each homered for the Larks.

Jacob Booden started the game and allowed seven runs (all earned) on 11 hits over five innings. Derrick Sampel (0-2) relieved and took the loss, permitting one run on two hits over two innings and took the loss. Riley Welch worked a scoreless ninth.