The bats came alive as the Hays Eagles remain undefeated in three games at the American Legion State Tournament in Manhattan with an 11-8 win over Pittsburg.  Hays pounded out 12 hits but where out-hit by Pittsburg who had 14.

Brad Kelly Postgame Interview
Coach Brad Kelly

Game Highlights
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Hays led off the game with four in the top of the first inning for a second game in a row, but Pittsburg responded with three in the bottom of the first on two Eagle errors.  Each team scored one in the second inning for a 5-4 score.  Neither team scored in the third or fourth inning.

Hays blew the game open on a four run fifth inning that was highlighted by a Zack Legleiter RBI triple and a two out, two RBI single for Austin Unrein.  Unrein’s at bat was made possible by two errors on one ground ball with one out that allowed both Taylor Renz and Dan Bittel to remain on the base paths.  Hays led 9-4 after the fifth.

The Eagles picked up two more runs in the top of the sixth on a two out, two RBI single by Taylor Renz.  Hays led after the top half of the sixth inning 11-4.  Pittsburg would chip away at the lead with a run in the sixth, two in the seventh, and one in the eighth.

Hays win moves the Eagles to the championship game on Saturday at 3:00.  They will play the Newton/Salina v Pittsburg winner, a game that will be played at noon.

Tyler Woolridge (9-0) threw seven innings, allowing seven runs on twelve hits.  Woolridge struck out two and walked four.  Hayden Hutchison threw the final two innings allowing one run on two hits, two walks and one strike out.

The Eagles are 44-8.  Pittsburg falls to 31-13.