By The Hays Daily News

DODGE CITY -- Needing every win it can get for seeding purposes heading into next week's Zone 7 tourney, the Hays Legion baseball team let one get away in Wednesday night's doubleheader against Dodge City.

Hays won the opener 4-2 and led by three runs heading into Dodge City's last at-bat in the nightcap, only to lose 6-5.

"Most disappointing loss this summer," Hays coach Mike Jenner said. "We just did not play well."

Jenner was especially troubled by Hays' tendency to leave runners on base. The Eagles stranded 14 runners in Game 1 and left 11 men on in the loss in Game 2.

In the nightcap, Hays (23-14) led 5-2 when starter Logan Downing got in trouble in the seventh, starting the inning giving up two singles and a walk. Kelton Rule (5-2) came in to pitch and allowed all three inherited runners to score, then gave up the winning run.

Rule led Hays' nine-hit attack, going 4-for-4 with two runs scored.

In the opener, Hays starter Matt Malott pitched six innings to pick up the win. Malott (4-4) allowed two runs on six hits, with two walks and four strikeouts. Sam Rohleder pitched the seventh to earn the save.

Malott and Austin Klaus each had two hits, with Klaus getting a double. Travis Budke drove in two runs.

Hays finishes the regular season Friday with a doubleheader at Great Bend. The Eagles' probable starters are Budke (5-1) and David Klaus (3-2). The Zone 7 tourney starts Tuesday in Hays.