Griffons swept by Jayhawk League-leading Hays Larks

Sunday, June 22, 2003

HAYS, Kan. -- The Nevada Griffons hightailed it out of Hays on a downer. The Hays Larks completed a sweep of the three-game series with a 6-5 comeback, last inning win over the Griffons on Friday at Larks Park. The Griffons had fought back from an early 4-0 deficit to take the lead at 5-4 in the sixth inning in an attempt to salvage the finale against the league-leading Larks. But Hays' hero on this night, Pete Maropis, had other ideas. He singled home the tying run in the sixth and the gamewinner in the ninth. The suddenly shaky Nevada defense again betrayed them as five errors were committed leading to two unearned runs, spotting the Larks a 2-0 advantage early. A two-run home run by Larks outfielder Craig Cooper, his second in two nights, lifted Hays to a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning. Nevada climbed back in it with three scores in the fifth. Brian Hastings, a freshman from Hutchinson Community College, drove home two with a bases-loaded single. A third run crossed the plate on an RBI single by shortstop Ian Kinsler to cut the lead to 4-3. With the aid of a two-base throwing error by Hays reliever Tom Hottovy, the Griffons scored two unearned runs in the sixth to go up 5-4. Nevada starter Ty Hanson, in position to pick up the win, was relieved by University of Mississippi pitcher Chris Thompson, making his first appearance as a Griffon. Thompson (0-1), however, was unable to hold the Larks, yielding the tying and winning runs. In the ninth, Thompson hit the leadoff batter, catcher Jerod Goodale. Goodale was sacrificed to second and Maropis capped the comeback with his walk-off single. Hottovy (3-0) got the win which solidified the Larks hold on first place in the Jayhawk League standings. Hays improved to 11-2, 8-2 in the league, while the Griffons slipped to 13-5, 5-4. The Griffons take a day off on Saturday, then face the El Dorado Broncos in a Jayhawk League clash on Sunday and the Wichita Braves in a non-league game on Monday. They open an eight-game homestand on Wednesday prior to the National Baseball Congress Regional Tournament on Thursday. The regional will be held at Champion Diamonds in Nevada.

To Read More
Subscribe Sign In
Continue reading with a subscription
Subscription options