The Hays Eagles Senior American Legion baseball team scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to overcome an early 4-0 deficit and a couple of rain delays to beat the Salina Falcons 6-4 in the opening game of the “AAA” American Legion state tournament Wednesday in Pittsburg. The Eagles (31-8) push their state tournament win streak to nine games and advance to the second round where they will face either Newton at 5pm Thursday.

Coach Brad Kelly Postgame Interview

Zach Legleiter tied the game with a two-run triple then scored the go-ahead and eventual game-winning run on a wild pitch. Layne Downing also drove in a run in the Eagles sixth.

Salina tried to rally in the ninth, loading the bases with two outs before the game was delayed for a second time by rain for nearly an hour. The game was also delayed for 12 minutes in the bottom of the seventh.

When play resumed, Kade Parker got a ground out to end the game and pick up the save.

Downing pitched 8 2/3 innings and picks up the win, allowing four unearned runs on nine hits while walking five and striking out four. He’s now 10-0 on the season. Downing was also 3-for-5 with one RBI at the plate.

The Falcons took advantage of three Eagles errors, scoring four runs in the second to grab a 4-0 lead.

Jared Haynes walked and scored on a wild pitch to put the Eagles on the board in the third.

Both teams would load the bases but fail to score in the fifth.