By RORY MOORE
Tiger Media Network
The Hays Larks closed their regular season with a 1-0 victory over the Dodge City A’s in a weather-shortened game at Larks Park on Monday. Dalton Campbell produced two strikeouts and one walk in the top of the first before outfielder Lane Sparks singled on a line drive to center field in the bottom of the first. Trent Baker singled, enabling Sparks to take home plate and score the winning run for the Larks before heavy rain ended the game.
The Larks concluded the regular season with a 29-4-1 record and will next play in the NBC World Series.
Despite a successful result, Larks Coach Frank Leo is disappointed that his other pitchers did not receive game play.
“It’s a shame because we had a tune-up,” he said. “We had four or five pitchers who needed to get some work in. This tournament gets stretched out so long. With a day off, it may be a week before some guys get a chance to go [play].”
Leo considered his team’s regular season outstanding.
“We have a very deep lineup,” he said. “Player-wise, we’ve got the best depth position I’ve ever had, and we’ve got a lot of arms where we can reach things together. We’ve got a great bunch of kids who love playing the game and enjoy playing it with their teammates. The bench had 15 guys back from last year. They were looking forward to this season, and I know they enjoyed it.”
Sparks was pleased with his teammates’ defense and offense in a short period of play.
“Campbell gave us a good outing there,” he said. “We got a guy on, got him over, and Trent got him in. It’s unfortunate that it got rained out this early, but it was a good first inning, and I think we played really good to set ourselves up to go into the NBC and make some noise.”
He believes the Larks have proven their strength as a team with their sixth consecutive Rocky Mountain Baseball League title entering the NBC World Series.
“Offensively, we all had a good summer,” Sparks said. “A lot of players have said it’s hard to shut us out. So, that speaks for itself.”
The Larks will play their opening NBC World Series game against the Seattle Blackfins at 6 p.m. on Thursday in Wichita.
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