Larks lose at Derby
By The Hays Daily News
DERBY -- The Hays Larks scored a run in the top of the ninth to tie the game, but the Derby Twins won it with a run in the bottom of the 10th for a 6-5 victory in Jayhawk League action Friday night.
The loss snapped a three-game-winning streak for Hays (11-9 overall, 8-8 Jayhawk). The two teams were scheduled to play single games Saturday night and tonight.
Derby (13-8, 9-6), in second place in the league standings, a half-game in front of Hays, loaded the bases against Larks' closer Eric Rose with one out in the 10th for Eric Sim, who singled to drive in the winning run.
After Derby scored three times in the eighth to take a one-run lead, Hays got a run in the ninth to send the game into extra innings. Greg Bieker hit a pinch-hit homer with one out to tie the game at 5.
Joe Huwer also homered for the Larks, a two-run shot in the fifth. Hays added two runs in the eighth. Rafael Valenzuela doubled in one run, and another run scored on the play when Derby tried to throw Valenzuela out at second.
Hays starter Kurt Wunderlich allowed two runs on seven hits over seven innings, but the Larks' bullpen gave up four runs on nine hits in 21รขÑ3 innings.
The Larks return home Tuesday to play host to Dodge City.