STORY BY HAILEY CHAPMAN
VIDEO BY GABE WARRICK
On Friday night, the Hays Larks held their eighth-annual First Responders Night and honored local firefighters, paramedics and law enforcement. The team made sure they showed their appreciation with another dominant win, taking the second game of the series, 13-4.
For the sixth game in a row, the Larks pounded out double figures to take down the Rangers. Due to weather, the game was called in the seventh inning with only one out.
Drake Angeron proved efficient in the leadoff position once again with a six pitch walk. Matt Cavanagh, the starting shortstop, followed Angeron’s at bat with his 18th hit of the season to put runners on first and second. Three-hole Wyatt Divis supplied a shallow left-field hit to load the bases, proving just enough for Mikey Gangwich to allow the go-ahead run with an RBI single.
The top four gave the Larks the velocity they needed with a four-run first inning. This performance gave starting pitcher Ryan Ruder insurance on the mound, holding the Rangers scoreless for the first three innings. The Hays native ran into adversity in the top of the fourth, however, with the Rangers earning four runs to cut the deficit 6-4.
The Larks responded with what they do best — offense. They put up three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to relieve pressure from Ruder on the mound. They put up another lone run in the seventh before the game was called due to weather.
Game leader at the plate was Jimmy DeLeon with three hits and two RBI’s. Brook Brannon, Matt Cavanagh, Wyatt Divis, Mikey Gangwish and Justin Lee all had two hits on the night.
Ruder earned the win on the mound, going the distance for six innings. He allowed four runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Christian Pearcy closed out the final inning for the Larks, allowing only one hit before retiring the next three batters.
The Larks play again tomorrow night for game three of the series against Park City with the first pitch scheduled for 7.
Hays beat Parks City 5-4 on Saturday night and 18-12 on Sunday night to earn the four-game series sweep.