Another grand slam helps Larks remain unbeaten

Jun. 8, 2007

By The Hays Daily News

JUNCTION CITY — For the second time in as many games, the Hays Larks were on the fortunate end of a grand slam.

In Monday’s win over Denver, it was Sean Finley’s heroics that pushed the Larks to 3-0. This time, it was Tyler Barnett. The Eastern Kentucky University junior blasted a shot over the right field wall to help the Larks to a 6-1 win over the Junction City Generals on Thursday. The win moves the Larks to 4-0 heading into today’s Jayhawk League opener in Joplin, Mo., against the Slashers.

Barnett’s homer was part of a five-run third for the Larks that broke a scoreless tie in a pitchers’ duel to that point. Larks starter Bobby Lewton pitched seven innings, giving up just one run in the sixth with four strikeouts and two walks to pick up win No. 1 on the season.

In the five-run third inning, Eric Morrison led off with a single, followed by a single to right field by Rich Michale, and Clayton Karst was hit by a pitch from Junction City starter Ben Percival. Percival hit two batters in the inning, including Mike Brownstein, which drove in Morrison from third. Barnett followed with his grand slam.

The Larks scored one more run in the ninth inning. Dusty Washburn, who had two hits on the night, drove in Ricky Angel on an RBI single to right field. Washburn, Brownstein, and Kyle Carney each had two hits.

The defending Jayhawk League Champion Larks will play a four-game series in Joplin. Joplin is 0-2 in league play after dropping its opening doubleheader to league-leading Derby.