Larks hold off Dodge City in 10 innings

By NICK McQUEEN

Hays Daily News

The Hays Larks had to work overtime Saturday night to get the job done against the Dodge City Athletics at Larks Park.

Setting up a key league showdown today at Larks Park, the overtime was worthwhile. Hays claimed a 4-3 win in 10 innings over the A’s to keep the pressure on Jayhawk League leading Derby in the standings, the same team Hays will host in today’s 6 p.m. doubleheader.

“We executed late and that’s the sign of a good ball club. We didn’t swing it very well tonight,” said 27th-year Lark manager Frank Leo. “We had some opportunities to put some runs up and their pitcher competed and I didn’t think we competed early in that game.”

Sean Finley led off the 10th inning with a single up the middle for the Larks and three batters later with two outs, second baseman Tyler Barnett drove him home for the game winner after a solid pitchers dual through regulation.

Left-hander Eric Rose (2-1) picked up the win in four innings of scoreless relief of starter Justin Randa, who retired the first nine Dodge City batters.

“Eric Rose did an outstanding job putting zeros up there,” Leo said. “He’s a good guy to have out of the bullpen. He won’t be available (Sunday) but he got the win for us (Saturday).”

Hays (13-5 overall, 9-5 Jayhawk) managed just five hits through the first nine innings off Dodge City starter Angel Cordova and reliever Josh Cordova, but put a runner on in the ninth on a double by Dusty Washburn, but couldn’t capitalize.

“We can’t do the running game unless we get guys on base and we didn’t get those guys today. But, I’m proud of the effort in the bottom half of the 10th,” Leo said.

Dodge City (3-12, 3-12) took a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning, getting four hits off Randa and all three of its runs. Dodge City also threatened in the 10th, getting a two-out triple from first baseman Chad Jacobsen, but Rose struck out Tim Martinez to end the threat.

Barnett finished the game 2-for-5 with an RBI. Rich Michalek was 2-for-5 with a run scored and one driven in in the leadoff role. Finley was 2-for-4 with two runs and one driven in.

At 9-5, Hays sits in second behind Derby (14-5, 11-4), a 4-2 winner over Joplin in other league action Saturday night.

Hays fell 6-4 and 12-0 in doubleheader action last week to the Twins.

“They’re a good ball club and we have to come out with some intensity. We have to do better offensively against that ball club,” Leo said. “They have some great arms on that staff and we have to get after it.”

Game 1 starter is Mark Tanner, while Larks newcomer Richard Timbrook will take the hill in the nightcap.

Sports reporter Nick McQueen can be reached at (785) 628-1081, Ext. 128 or by e-mail at

nmcqueen@dailynews.net.