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Hays Larks

Cavanagh big hit for Larks in 12-1 win

By Randy Gonzales

HAYS – Infielder Matt Cavanagh was mainly used as a defensive replacement this spring
for Texas-Arlington. Starting at shortstop for the Hays Larks in Friday night’s season opener at
Larks Park, Cavanagh went 4-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in a 12-1 win in seven innings
over the Denver Cougars.

 |  2019

Cavanagh hit .207 in 29 at-bats playing college ball this year, but summer is a chance to
get better, he said.
“This is a time for getting a lot of at-bats, work on things, improve my game from the
offensive standpoint,” Cavanagh said. “You don’t get many opportunities to go 4-for-4 in a
ballgame.”
Summer ball is about getting better and something more, Hays Larks manager Frank Leo
said.
“That’s part of the summer process, get those at-bats you need to get, but also be part of a
team that has a great tradition here,” said Leo, starting his 37 th season managing the team.
“That’s what I told our guys: This club has to keep the tradition going.”
Leo was pleased that his batters pounded out 17 hits, including six for extra bases.
“When we put this team together and saw how they were doing this spring, I had a
feeling that’s was the kind of lineup we’re going to have,” Leo said.
Left fielder Justin Lee added three hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in four
runs.
“He was what was advertised,” Leo said. “I feel like he will be a solid hitter for us.”
Right fielder George Sutherland singled and doubled, scored twice and drove in a run.
Center fielder Drake Angeron singled twice and scored a pair of runs. Designated hitter Wyatt
Divis singled and tripled with two RBIs and two runs scored. Divis also struck out the side in the
seventh to end the game by run-rule.
Starter Christian Pearcy gave up two hits and a run then pitched four hitless innings to
pick up the victory. Drew Marrufo tossed a scoreless sixth before Divis finished up.

“He’s a groundball pitcher, good movement,” Leo said of Pearcy, a right-hander from
Rockford University in Illinois. “Looking at our defense, that’s going to be a big asset for him.
Pound the zone the way he did, get groundballs, he’s going to give us a chance to win every time
we run him out here.”
The season opener drew an overflow crowd at historic Larks Park. The same two teams
play again Saturday with a 6 p.m. first pitch. Left-hander Ryan Ruder is the probable starter for
Hays.
Cavanagh won’t soon forget his first game in a Larks uniform, and the reaction from the
fans.
“The experience here is amazing,” he said. “There are so many fans; everyone loves you.
You’re pretty much a celebrity here.”
Leo estimated the crowd at 1,200 fans.
“That’s got to be one of the biggest opening day crowds we’ve had in a long time,” Leo
said. “Our guys enjoyed that atmosphere. A lot of guys hadn’t played before that many people
before. It gets their adrenaline going. We put on a good show tonight.”


Randy Gonzales

Randy is a long time writer for various newspapers and has a passion for sports. He has been writing about the Hays Larks for years and we are proud to have him around!