The Hays Eagles Senior American Legion split their two games Thursday at the Blue Springs, Missouri Wood Bat Tournament. The Eagles beat the Hawthorn Bank Outlaws from Lee’s Summit, Missouri 3-0 then lose a controversial 4-3 contest to SMCI out of DeSoto. They drop to 1-2 in pool play and are 19-14 overall. The Eagles close out pool play Friday against the Post 642 Travelers from Sedalia, Mo.

Game 1: Hays 3, Hawthorn Bank Outlaws 0
Layne Downing (4-2) pitched a complete game three-hit shutout, striking out eight and walking just one.

Hays scored a run in the third on a error then added two in the fourth on a Kyler Niernberger groundout and a wild pitch.

Both teams had three hits.

Game 2: HMCI 4, Hays 3
The Eagles had a 3-0 lead after three innings and thought they had a 3-1 lead heading into the sixth after turning what appeared to be a triple play to end the fifth, but as the Eagles were running off the field, the umpire ruled that third baseman Layne Downing didn’t catch a line drive on the fly which resulted in only two outs and allowed runners to score from first and third to tie the game.

SMCI then scored the game-winner bottom of the seventh after a one-out double and single.

Cade Parker takes the loss despite striking out seven and walking just one in 6 1/3 innings.

Hays scored a run in the first on a Chandler Rule single then plated two in the third on a John Griffith grounder.