Larks slide by Salina
July 25, 2003
By The Hays Daily News
EL DORADO -- Dan Schwartzbauer has found a home in the leadoff spot for the Hays Larks.
Schwartzbauer, the team's shortstop, has batted in the leadoff position the last 10 games, hitting .432 (18-for-39), with 14 runs scored and nine RBIs.
Schwartzbauer was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI Thursday, as he helped spark Hays to a 4-2 win over the Salina Blue Jays in the second round of the National Baseball Congress Midwest Regional.
Hays (37-8) will play Jayhawk League rival El Dorado in a third-round game Saturday at 6 p.m. at McDonald Park. Landon Harper (6-1) will get the start for the Larks. El Dorado was an 8-3 winner over the Springfield (Mo.) Slashers Thursday night.
Against Salina, Schwartzbauer led off the bottom of the first with a single, stole second and scored on a single by Pete Maropis to tie the game at 1-1.
Hays scored two runs in the third. Schwartzbauer walked and eventually scored on a single by Craig Cooper. Cooper later scored on a wild pitch.
Hays made it 4-1 in the fourth on Schwartzbauer's RBI single.
"He's kind of settled in" at the leadoff spot, Hays manager Frank Leo said of Schwartzbauer. "He's done a good job.
"He's got good speed ... gets on base, makes things happen."
Hays starter Chris Ofat pitched seven innings to get the victory. Ofat (5-0) scattered seven hits, with one walk and four strikeouts. Jim Miller pitched two scoreless innings for his seventh save.