Another eighth inning meltdown for the Hays Larks results in their second straight loss. Liberal scores six unearned runs with two outs, taking advantage of five Larks errors, a walk and a wild pitch and beat Hays 6-4 Tuesday night at Larks Park.

It’s the second game in-a-row the Larks have collapsed in the eighth after giving up 11 runs Sunday night in their loss at El Dorado.

The Larks scored a run in the ninth on an error and had the bases loaded but Joe Betcher (Illinois-Chicago) grounded to third for the final out.

Hays had built a 3-0 lead on a Zair Koeiman (Eastern Oklahoma State College) sac fly in the second. MacKenzie Handel (Chandler-Gilbert [Ariz.] CC) had an RBI triple and Joe Betcher added a run scoring single third.

Caleb Hawkins (Texarkana [Tex.] College) takes the loss in relief, allowing four unearned runs on two hits over 1 2/3 innings.

The loss drops the Larks to 7-2 and 4-2 in the Jayhawk League where they are now tied for first with Dodge City.

They wrap up the two-game series with the Bee Jays Wednesday night beginning at 7pm. Admission is free thanks to Emprise Bank and Dr. Hattan.