WICHITA, Kan. – The Hays Larks couldn’t dig out of an early 6-0 deficit and lost 9-6 to the San Diego Stars in their final pool play game at the NBC World Series. The loss marked the first time the Larks (35-12) dropped back-to-back games all season and eliminated them from the 84th and final tournament at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

Frank Leo Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

The Larks pitchers walked 11 batters, five of which scored. Stater Fabian Muniz (5-2) walked four before giving up a first inning grand slam to Tristan Salinas. He left the game following a leadoff homer by Henry Gonzales in the second.

Walter Pennington walked three and left after recording only one out. Shane Browning pitched a season-high 3 2/3 innings and left after walking three and striking out five. Wyatt Divis pitched the final three innings and allowed two runs with a walk.

The Larks (35-12) scored two in the fourth on a groundout from John Rensel and single from Clayton Rasbeary to close the gap to 6-2.

The Stars (28-6) answered with three in the sixth to build the lead to 9-2 before the Larks would rally with a run in the seventh and two in the eighth. They had runners and second and third but Stars starters Noah Quintana struck out Matt Munoz to keep their lead at five.

A two-out walk in the ninth to Wyatt Divis kept the Larks alive. Divis later scored on a wild pitch following a dropped popup at third. John Rensel walked bringing the tying run to the plate but Clayton Rasbeary grounded to second to end the game and the season.