Larks take opener in key series

7-11-04

By NICHOLAS McQUEEN

Hays Daily News

The Jayhawk League race is getting more and more interesting.

The Hays Larks pulled within 11Ú2 games of league-leading El Dorado with a 5-3 win Saturday night at Larks Park.

Hays (17-10 overall, 12-9 Jayhawk), in search of a fourth straight league title, scored all five of its runs through the first three innings as the Larks halted El Dorado's winning streak at 10 straight games.

“This was just a tough ball game,” Hays manager Frank Leo said. “We thought we had a command on it early and then we just got too many 3-2 counts and they were getting their leadoff hitters on.”

El Dorado (22-10, 13-7) threatened in each of the last five innings but left a runner on in each inning.

Hays scored three runs in the first inning, highlighted by Aaron Batlle's two-run double.

The Larks added an RBI double by Kevin Russo in the third inning. Hays had just one hit after the third.

“Every inning out there was a tough inning,” Leo said. “We never did have any opportunities to put it away. We needed to get a bigger lead.”

The Larks got just two baserunners after the third inning.

“We didn't do much after that,” Leo said. “They did a good job of keeping us off-balance all night.”

El Dorado's Jason Bleeker took the loss, giving up four runs in 11Ú3 innings. Bob Reifschneider (2-2) picked up the win for the Larks, going six innings. Reifschneider had six strikeouts while walking two, and gave up all three Bronco runs.

Jason Schutt pitched the final three innings for a save.

“We made some pitches we had to make toward the end of the game,” Leo said. “When we get opportunities to score we need to pad the lead a little.”

The Larks could face Broncos' standout pitcher Matt Green in one of tonight's games. Green struck out 12 in seven innings in a no-decision against Hays on June 22 in El Dorado.

“We just have to take this one game at a time and try to get the second and third games,” said Leo, whose Larks have eight league games remaining after the four-game series with the Broncos. Today's doubleheader is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Larks Park. The series will wrap up with a 7:30 p.m. game Monday.

Montana Mike's, the sponsor for Monday's game, will give out 200 coupons to fans for a free buffalo burger. There will be a raffle, in which two fans per inning starting with the second can win a steak dinner. Also to be raffled off is a chance to throw three strikes at a target. If the fan wins, the restaurant will give away a steak dinner per week for a year.

Sports writer Nicholas McQueen can be reached at (785) 628-1081, ext. 130, or by e-mail at sports@dailynews.net.