Larks starter Connor Beer and Topeka’s Shane Conlon hooked up in an old fashioned pitchers dual for five innings but the Golden Giants pull away late and defeat the Hays Larks 10-4 Thursday night in a non-league game in Topeka.

Beer held the Golden Giants to no runs and two hits through five innings but was chased in the sixth after giving up four runs. Kansas State’s Shane Conlon gave up a single on the game’s first pitch then didn’t allow another until Larks catcher Jay Sanders singled with one out in the eighth.

The Larks would score three in the inning on back-to-back doubles from Brandon Dixon and Cody Gougler and added the third run on error to pull within one. Topeka answered with six runs on four hits, two walks and an error off three Larks pitchers in the bottom of the inning to blow the game open.

Beer (0-1) takes the loss for the Larks who drop to 16-11. Topeka improves to 24-4.

The Larks are back home Friday to open a three-game Jayhawk League series with El Dorado beginning at seven o’clock. Saturday night’s game is Larkstober Fest and Oldtimer’s Night.