For everyone hoping that Hays High and Goddard would match up for the Western Plains Diamond Classic championship on Saturday afternoon got their wish. Goddard defeated Colby on Saturday morning 9-0 to set both Hays and Goddard at 3-0 in the tournament.
The game featured many story lines. Hays High was honoring eight seniors for the last regular season home game. Hays was ranked third in 5A and Goddard fifth. Both teams are also in the same region pairings, and the winner would have the inside track to the number seed. Both teams also saved their ace senior pitchers for the dual.
Scoreless through three innings, the Indians had their best opportunity to score in the first and second innings. Hays stranded two in the first inning then got a runner to third but was picked off by the pitcher in the second. Goddard broke the ice in the top of the fourth inning with a double and single by back to back hitters.
The game would remain at the same score through out the game, though Goddard did strand two more in the fifth and left the bases loaded in the sixth.
The Lions did tack on three runs in the top of the seventh inning, and shut out the Indians 4-0.
Hays mustered just one hit on the day during the first innings. Quintin Dougherty pitched the one hitter while facing just two batters of the seven inning minimum.
Hays drops to 14-2 on the season. Goddard is now 16-2. Austin Unrein suffered the loss and falls to 3-1. Dougherty is 4-0.
The Indians will face both Liberal and Dodge City on the road this week to finish the regular season. The Dodge City double header is a make up from a rain out earlier in the season.
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