Larks win big; Russo hits 3 homers

By The Hays Daily News

Kevin Russo did something Friday night that former Larks sluggers Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman and Jim Leyritz never did at Larks Park: hit three homers in a single game.

Russo also hit a double to go 4-for-4 and drove in five runs, as Hays blasted Elkhart 17-5 in seven innings.

Hays took three of five games in the series with Elkhart; the Larks and Dusters split the four Jayhawk League games.

Russo hit a two-run homer in the first, added a leadoff homer in the fifth and hit a two-run shot in the sixth.

“I've been coaching a lot of home-run hitters — Pujols, Leyritz, Berkman — none of those guys hit three in one game,” Hays manager Frank Leo said. “Pretty impressive outing.”

Aaron Batlle added a three-run homer in an eight-run third inning for Hays (5-2 overall, 2-2 Jayhawk). J.C. Field went 2-for-3 with three runs scored as Hays banged out 13 hits in the game. It was the Larks' biggest offensive outburst since an 18-4 win over Newton on July 16, 2003.

“That's good to see, we had that kind of offensive punch,” Leo said.

Jason Schutt (1-0) pitched three innings in relief of starter Matt Rainey to pick up the victory. Gilbert Dela Vera (1-1) took the loss for Elkhart (4-5, 2-2).

Larks camps

There will be a hitting camp Monday and Tuesday, with an all-skills camp June 22-25. For more information or to register, contact Leo at 628-6703.