GREAT BEND, Kan. – The Hays Eagles Junior American Legion is headed to the A State Tournament following an 18-8 rout of the Salina Hawks in the Great Bend Zone Tournament finals Wednesday afternoon at the Great Bend Sports Complex.

The Eagles overcame an early 8-0 deficit, scoring eight runs in the third inning then five in the fifth and sixth. Isaac Smith’s single on a 3-2 pitch in the fifth broke the 8-8 tie. Dalyn Schwarz followed with a two-run triple.

Schwarz finished with three hits and five RBIs. Blake Herman had four of the Eagles 18 hits and drove in three runs while Remington Cox had three hits and four RBIs.

Chance Murphy allowed two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and one walk in 5 2/3 innings relief for the win.

The single-A state tournament begins Wednesday in Leavenworth.