By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post
The Hays High Indians shook off Friday night’s disappointing 3-2 loss to Salina Central with a clean, well-played ball game on Saturday afternoon. The Indians scored four unanswered runs over the third, fourth and fifth innings to beat Goddard 4-2 in the final game of the Western Plains Diamond Classic.
Hays fell behind 2-0 in the top of the second inning when the Lions scored on an double by Austin Noble and a ground out by Josh Oakley. Starter Marcus Altman settled down after that allowing only six more base runners through the remainder of the game.
Hays got onto the board for the first time in the bottom of the third inning with a sacrifice fly by Kade Parker to score courtesy runner Garrett Pfannenstiel to cut the Goddard lead down to 2-1. Goddard threatened to score again with the bases loaded and one out in the top of the fourth but Altman struck out a batter and senior catcher Brady Bieker picked off a runner at first base for the third out.
Hays responded to the defensive plays with a two run double by Jared Haynes to score Dalton Stout and Layne Downing, giving the Indians a 3-2 lead. Hays added another run in the fifth when courtesy runner Adam Klaus scored on a wild pitch for the 4-2 difference.
Goddard did threaten in the seventh with runners at second and third with two outs, but runner interference was called on a ground ball to end the game.
Hays moves to 12-6 on the year and finishes the Western Plains Diamond Classic 3-1. It is the same record that Salina Central finished the three day classic with, but due to the head to head match-up won by Salina Central the Mustangs won the title. It is the fourth Diamond Classic crown for Salina Central and first since 2008. Goddard dropped to 5-13. Hays has now won nine of their last ten games.
Marcus Altman was the winning pitcher on Saturday going all seven innings allowing two runs on four hits, walking two and striking out four.
Hays will travel to Liberal on Tuesday to finish the season. Hays can also wrap up their third consecutive Western Athletic Conference title that day as well.
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Game Highlights