Larks win on road

By The Hays Daily News

SALINA — The Hays Larks won their second straight game to start the season Monday night, with a little help from the Monarchs and Indians.

Hays scored four runs in the last two innings to take a 6-4 nonleague win over Salina. The shorthanded Larks used former Thomas More Prep-Marian pitcher Dusty Washburn and ex-Hays High pitcher Brock Nehls in relief against the Blue Jays. Washburn pitched two innings for the win, and Nehls got the final three outs.

“The young guys did a nice job coming in, getting it done for us,” Hays manager Frank Leo said.

Hays (2-0) broke a 2-2 tie with two runs in the eighth. Aaron Batlle drove in the first run with his fielder's choice, and Jeff Mandel drew a bases-loaded walk.

The Larks added two more runs in the ninth to make it 6-2. Billy Sharp had an RBI groundout and Tyler Wasserman hit a run-scoring single.

Hays needed those runs, as Salina (1-4) rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth.

Hays opens a five-game series against Jayhawk League foe Elkhart with a 7:30 p.m. game today at Larks Park. Mandel is the probable starter for the Larks.

“That's when you need to make ground in league play, get off to a fast start at home,” Leo said.

Larks Notes

Today's game against the Dusters does not count in the Jayhawk League standings. ... Former Lark Tommy Hottovy, a senior left-handed pitcher out of Wichita State University, was a fourth-round draft pick by the Boston Red Sox in Monday's major league draft.