BY HAILEY CHAPMAN
The Hays Larks defeated the Valley Center Mud Daubers 9-8 in the final game of their series. The Larks improved their record to 18-4 and 5-3 in conference play.
Valley Center scored three runs in the first inning off Larks starter Micheal Gilliland. They applied pressure in the top of the third with three more runs, however Hays was then able to respond with two runs.
The Mud Daubers kept rolling in the top of the sixth, tacking on two more runs to increase their lead to 8-2 before the Larks pulled one more across in the bottom of the inning.
The eighth inning was pivotal for the Larks as they scored five runs to tie it at 8-8. Going into the last inning, the Larks closers found their stride on the mound and held the Mud Daubers scoreless. That was enough for the Larks as they walked off Valley Center 9-8.
Gilliland went six innings and gave up nine hits on eight runs with no walks and six strikeouts. The two closers included Drew Marrufo and Tommy Garcia (WP), who threw three innings, allowing no runs with three strikeouts.
Game leaders at the plate included Hernan Yanez (2-for-3 1 RBI), Matt Cavanagh (1-for-4 2 RBI), Wyatt Divis (1-for-5 3 RBI), and Justin Lee (2-for-4 1 RBI). The Larks are back in action this weekend against the Liberal Bee Jays at home.