By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post

Salina Central 3 – Hays 2

Hays and Salina Central played an intense final game to the second day of the Western Plains Diamond Classic on Friday night.  The game started over an hour late due to the first three games each running long.  The final game of the night took just 80 minutes to complete.

Salina Central posted a 3-0 lead after the top half of the second inning, scoring an unearned run in the first off of two Indian errors.  Back to back RBI doubles by Salina Central put them in front at 3-0.  Hays plated their only two runs in the bottom of the second innings.  Hays loaded the bases on three singles by Connor Rule, Dalton Stout, and Layne Downing when Jared Haynes walked to drive in Rule.  With two out and Downing was able to score from third base on a wild pitch getting the Indians with one run at 3-2.  There would be no more scoring for the night.

Central starting pitcher JW Maldaner retired the next 11 Indians until the sixth inning.  Kade Parker walked and courtesy runner Garrett Pfannenstiel stole second them moved to throw on the pick-off attempt.  Hays though couldn’t capitalize with the runner in scoring position.

Hays had one last chance in the seventh when Jared Haynes lined a two out single to right field keeping the Indians alive.  Pinch runner Adam Klaus stole second on a close play, but then was thrown out trying to steal third to end the game.

Hays’ eight game winning streak comes to a close and falls to 11-6.  Salina Central moves to 7-8 and at 3-0 in the Western Plains Diamond Classic has claimed the championship with one day remaining.

Hays will play Goddard at 2:30 for the final game of the three day classic.  The game can be heard starting at 2:15 on 96.9 KFIX.