Larks' 13-game streak snapped
July 1, 2003
By The Hays Daily News
EL DORADO -- The chances of the Hays Larks' winning streak lasting the rest of the season were probably about as good as someone winning the lottery with a single ticket.
And the El Dorado Broncos picked the winning ticket Monday night in Jayhawk League action on the road.
The Broncos struck for five early runs to build a cushion, then held on for a 6-4 win. El Dorado's win snapped Hays' summer-collegiate baseball team's 13-game winning streak.
"You've got to put things in perspective," said Hays manager Frank Leo. "You can't win them all. You're going to have your rough spots, and we had ours in the first couple of innings. But I was pleased with the way the guys battled back."
Despite the unfavorable outcome, it was only the Larks' third loss this season. Hays remained atop the league standings with an 18-3 overall mark and an 11-3 record in league play. El Dorado was second at 18-9 overall, including a 10-5 league record.
El Dorado struck for three runs in the first inning, then added back-to-back solo home runs in the second to take a 5-0 lead.
But Hays scored twice in the fourth to cut the margin. After both teams added a run in the fifth, Cody Ehlers hit a solo homer in the top of the eighth to pull Hays within two runs.
But it would be as close as the Larks would come the rest of the way.
"They were swinging really well in the first inning," Leo said. "Considering we were down 5-0, our guys hung in and battled."
Starter Bryan Engle (1-1) allowed six runs -- two earned -- on seven hits in six innings. He walked six and struck out two.
Hays had played four games in three days entering Monday's contest. That left the team's bullpen and rotation a bit out of order.
"They caught us at the right time," Leo said. "We didn't have the match-up we needed to have. When Bryan's on, he pitches well. But he struggled a little bit in the game at times."
Craig Cooper went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Both of his hits were doubles.
Ehlers went 2-for-3 as well with a run scored and an RBI, and Adam Cox had a double and drove in two runs.
The Larks will continue their current seven-game road stand with a 6 p.m. doubleheader today at the Nevada (Mo.) Griffons. The Griffons are 18-6 overall and 8-5 in the league and are currently in third place.
After the long road trip, 14 of the team's final 16 games are at Larks Park.
"It's a key week for us," said Leo, whose team has won back-to-back league titles the last two years. "It's the last really big road swing for us. If we can get through it OK and take two of three from Nevada, will have a chance to win another league crown."
Landon Harper (3-0) and Ryan LaMotta (2-0) are today's probable starters for Hays.
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