BY HAILEY CHAPMAN
WELLINGTON — The Hays Larks split two games against the Wellington Heat on Thursday and Friday.
In Game 1 of the series, the Larks won 5-2 after a seven inning pitchers’ duel. The Larks’ offense came out strong in the top of the seventh, pulling across four runs to back starting pitcher Rustin Hays’ outstanding performance.
On the mound, Hays allowed only two runs on five hits in eight innings of work. He worked pitch counts well with 103 pitches on the day, with three walks and five strikeouts.
Drew Marrufo came in for the final inning to close it out in perfect fashion; he did not issue a walk, hit or run and threw only 10 pitches.
Offensively, Drake Angeron led the team in his 2-for-4 performance including a 2-RBI double. Matt Cavanagh was also 2-for-4 on the night with an RBI, and Justin Lee added the final RBI in his 2-for-5 performance.
In Game 2 on Friday, the Larks struggled at the plate, putting up only two runs late in the game. They benefited from patience at the plate, earning six walks to score one. Matt Cavanagh was the lone Lark to pull a run across, though he was 0-for-4. Drake Angeron was 2-for-3 leading the team for the second night in a row. George Southerland was 2-for-4 on the night, and Jimmy DeLeon was 1-for-3.
The Larks worked through four pitchers as they struggled on the mound Friday evening. Starting pitcher Wyatt Divis took the loss, going five innings with three runs on three hits. He gave up one home run, and worked two walks and six strikeouts.
Tommy Garcia, Alex Strachen and Nash Neff combined for the final four innings of the contest. The trio allowed five runs on four hits, with seven walks and two strikeouts.
Entering Saturday, the Larks were 21-7, leading the Jayhawk West. Their team batting average was .328, while their pitching staff holds a 4.40 ERA. Their previous competition has compared with a batting average of .266 and an ERA of 8.62.
Justin Lee leads the team with a batting average of .400, followed by George Southerland at .367 and Drake Angeron at .353.
The pitching staff is currently lead by Tommy Garcia who is 2-and-0 with a 2.50 ERA and one save on the year.