HAYS, Kan. – The Hays Larks fell in a big early hole and couldn’t dig themselves out of it as they lost their season opener 5-1 to the Denver Cougars Thursday night at Larks Park. The Cougars (2-4) had six of their nine hits in the second inning in which they plated all five of their runs.

The Larks lone run came in the fifth after Jacob Boston drew a two-out walk then was caught in a run-down trying to steal second which allowed Oklahoma’s Keone Givens to score from third.

New Mexico’s Chandler Coates allowed four runs on five hits over 1 2/3 innings and takes the loss.

The Larks open Jayhawk League play on the road Friday night against league newcomer Great Bend at 7pm. The Bat Cats will play in Hays Saturday before the series shifts back to Great Bend on Sunday.