Chandler Hawkins allowed a one-out single in the first inning then retired the next 14 batters he faced as the Hays Larks blanked Dodge City 4-0 in their five inning rain-shortened game Thursday night at Larks Park. The win moves Hays to 31-11 overall and 23-10 in the Jayhawk League. The A’s end their season at 15-29 and 8-25 in the league.
Hawkins struck out seven and didn’t walk anyone as he moves to 6-2 on the season.
Dodge City’s Hayden Carter retired the first seven he faced before giving up three straight hits in the third. With one out, Desmond Roberts singled to left. That was followed by a Spencer Neve single to left. Jake Jake Placzek doubled, scoring Roberts. The Larks would add two more runs on a groundout and error to go up 3-0.
Zair Koieman led off the fourth with a home run to left to wrap up the scoring.
Due to a nine-day layoff between their scheduled start at the NBC World Series, the Larks have added a couple of non-league games to the schedule. They will head west this weekend to play the Colorado Sox on Saturday and Sunday. Tuesday Hays will play a group of former players at 7pm at Larks Park.