Larks rally past Sluggers
June 23, 2003
By The Hays Daily News
The Kansas City Sluggers almost supplied the knock-out punch.
“Almost” being the key word.
The Hays Larks rallied from a four-run deficit Sunday night to claim a 6-5 win over the Sluggers in nonleague action at Larks Park. It was the Larks’ eighth win in a row.
Hays (13-2) led 1-0 entering the fifth, when Kansas City struck for five runs on three hits and one Hays error to take a 5-1 lead.
But in the sixth, the Larks finally got things rolling offensively.
Adam Cox singled and Kade Boyer walked to start the inning. Another walk to Seth Fortenberry loaded the bases with one out.
Dan Schwartzbauer hit a two-out single to drive in Cox, and a bases-loaded walk to Craig Cooper forced in another run, pulling Hays within 5-3.
Cody Ehlers singled to left to drive in two runs, knotting the score at 5-5.
Hays pushed across the go-ahead run in the eighth.
Schwartzbauer tripled to right-center field with one out and scored on Cooper’s single back up the middle to give Hays a 6-5 lead.
Jim Miller relieved starter Andy Pape with one out in the top of the ninth and a runner on second. He walked the first batter he faced, then both runners advanced on a wild pitch.
But Miller was able to get out of the jam by striking out the next two batters for his third save of the season.
Pape (1-0) allowed only one hit in two innings of work, with no walks and two strikeouts.
Cooper and Ehlers each went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and Schwartzbauer went 2-for-5 with an RBI. Cox also drove in a run.
Hays, which is 8-2 in league games, will return to Jayhawk League action with a 6 p.m. doubleheader today at the Topeka Capitals.