HAYS, Kan. – The Hays Larks struggled to get their offense going on Monday night and fell to the Dodge City Athletic’s 6-2. The game was scoreless through the first two innings but the top of the third inning was a rough one for Larks starter Tyler Blomster as he gave up five runs on five hits, putting Hays in a 5-0 early on.

The Larks would get a run back in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a single by John Rensel. Rensel took second base on a passed ball and then tagged up on a fly ball to center, before scoring on a RBI ground-out by Devin Hager. The Larks would not score again until the bottom of the seventh when Scott Wolverton hit a ball deep in center field. Dodge City center fielder Kyle Cullen caught the ball at the warning track but his momentum carried him hard into the wall and the ball fell on the ground, giving Wolverton an in-the-park homerun. Dodge City relievers would hold the Larks scoreless in the final two innings.

Frank Leo Postgame Interview

Blomster received the loss going five innings with six runs on five hits and six strikeouts. Hays native Ryan Ruder pitched one innings and gave up one hit and no runs. Toby Scoles went one and two third innings with one hit and Shane Browning made his first appearance this season with the Larks in relief to finish the game. Rensel was 2-4 with one run scored. Wolverton was 1-3 with an RBI and run scored.