Three first inning errors resulted in two unearned runs and that was the difference Monday night as the Hays Larks drop their opener at the NBC World Series 2-1 to the Greeley (CO) Grays.

Frank Leo Postgame Interview
Frank Leo Post 7-30

Game Highlights
Larks Game Highlights 7-30

A fielding error by Elvin Rodriguez, a throwing error by third baseman Joe Betcher on a double-play ball and a missed cutoff man by center fielder Aaron Cornell following a base hit came during the Grays first four at-bats and put the Larks in the early 2-0 hole.

Hays would score one in the bottom of the first on a MacKenzie Handel single following a Zair Koeman triple, however the Larks would get only two runners into scoring position over the next seven innings.

MacKenzie Handel opened the ninth with a double. Austin Darby followed with a single to left but pinch runner Tito Andino was thrown out at the plate. Ryan Busboom and Joe Betcher following with fly outs to center field to end the game.

The loss negated a tremendous start from Justin Ziegler who went the distance on just 89 pitches, allowing two unearned runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking one.

The loss also ended the Larks 10-game win streak in the opening round of the NBC World Series.

They now fall into the loser’s bracket where they will play the loser of Tuesday’s 5 o’clock game between the Wichita (KS) Prospects and the San Luis Obispo (CA) Blues Wednesday morning at 10:30am. We’ll have it for you on 14-KAYS beginning at 10:15am.

The Jayhawk League is 4-1 at the NBC following El Dorado’s 14-2 drubbing of the Katy (TX) Collegians in the final game Monday night.