WICHITA – Wyatt Divis and Trevor Munsch combined to throw a four-hit shutout as the Hays Larks knocked off the Denver Cougars 2-0 to advance to the First Week semifinals at the NBC World Series at Eck Stadium. The Larks will play the Derby Twins in the feature game at 7 p.m. Wednesday for the right to advance to Championship Week. The Twins eliminated 316 Elite 5-2 Tuesday.

Frank Leo Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

The Larks turned double plays to end the first and second innings. Divis then allowed only one Cougar to reach second base until the eighth when he walked the bases loaded. Munsch entered with two outs and induced a ground ball to shortstop from Nick Schifftner on the first pitch to end the threat. He then worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save of the summer.

Divis (6-1) allowed four hits with nine strikeouts and four walks.

Denver starter Adam Artis (0-1) was impressive early, retiring the first nine Larks batters. He worked around two walks in the fourth without giving up a run.

Hays (34-11) finally scored in the fifth. Jerrod Belbin led off the inning with a single to short right field. Taylor Daniell then reached safely on a bunt single. After a popup and a strikeout, Jimmy DeLeon came through with a solid two-out single to left field to drive in Belbin.

Belbin led off the seventh with a double down the right field line. Max McGuire drove him home with a one-out single to center.