SALINA FALCONS 6, HAYS EAGLES 1 – The Salina Falcons scored four fifth-inning runs for a 6-1 championship victory over the Hays Eagles to earn a berth in the AAA Legion state tournament. The AAA state tournament is scheduled July 25-29 at Emporia.
The Falcons (28-2) trailed 1-0. Hays’ Jamison Martin singled, stole second base and scored on Cole Murphy’s fourth-inning double.
Salina’s Brayden Pavey and Seth Catania singled and Zach Farmer was hit by a fifth-inning pitch. Pavey scored on Layne Haddock’s groundout for a 1-1 tie. Dix doubled to drive in Catania and Farmer scored on an error to make it 4-1.
Salina pitcher Richard Davis threw a complete-game seven-hitter, striking out six without walking a batter.
Salina’s Ethan Kickhaefer doubled home Farmer and Dix in the seventh inning.
Hays (31-5) will play the Great Bend Chiefs (21-12) at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Great Bend Sports Complex for a AAA state berth.
GREAT BEND ZONE (2 qualifiers)—TUESDAY—Hays Eagles 4, Great Bend Chiefs 0; FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP—Salina Falcons 6, Hays Eagles 1; WEDNESDAY—SECOND CHAMPIONSHIP—Great Bend Chiefs 21-12 vs. Hays Eagles (30-5), 6 p.m.