Larks will finish second

By The Hays Daily News

DODGE CITY — The Jayhawk League title has already been decided. With a 9-2 win over Liberal in Tuesday’s opener of a doubleheader with Liberal, the Derby Twins claimed the 2007 league championship.

Hays split a doubleheader Tuesday at Dodge City, dropping the first game 4-2, and winning the nightcap, 12-10 in right innings. The Larks will finish second in the league.

Brock Nehls (6-1) suffered his first loss of the season in the opener. He gave up a three-run home run with one out in in the bottom of the seventh inning to give up a 2-1 Hays lead.

In 6 1â„3 innings, Nehls gave up just two earned runs with nine strikeouts on four Dodge City hits.

Hays (33-16 overall, 28-14 Jayhawk) scored its runs in the fourth and sixth innings, one on a passed ball and on a throwing error. The Lark managed five hits, but had two errors in the opener.

In Game 2, it was plenty of offense. The A’s and Larks combined for 25 hits and 22 runs, all of after the third inning.

Dodge City (8-36, 8-36) took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning and Hays responded with a five-run fifth, only to see Dodge City tack up six runs in its fifth.

Hays starter Justin Randa pitched four-plus inning, giving up three earned runs on three hits with two strikeouts and five walks. Steven Mazur faced four batters in the fifth, and gave up four more runs, before A.J. Dunn (2-0) finished the game, picking up the win.

The Larks offense put up 14 hits, led by Ricky Angel’s 5-for-5 game with two RBIs. Mike Brownstein doubled and tripled with four RBIs. Adam Muenster and Rich Michalek each had two RBIs.

Hays wraps up Jayhawk League play with a 7:30 p.m. game today against Dodge City at Larks Park. Free admission is sponsored by Commerce Bank. It is Pack the Park Night, with prizes to be handed out during the game.