There was no eighth inning collapse Wednesday night for the Hays Larks. After giving up 17 runs in the eighth inning in their two prior games, Hays survived without giving up a run in that frame, however, Liberal scored two in the seventh and one in the ninth and rally for a 4-3 win and two-game series sweep at Larks Park.

The Larks had built a 3-1 lead scoring one in the first on a Joe Betcher (Illinois-Chicago) single. They took the lead in the third on a Betcher grounded, then went up 3-1 in the sixth when Jon Ryan was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

UNC-Charlotte’s Ryan Mas (1-1) takes the loss in relief, allowing one run on three hits over 2 1/3 innings. Starter Alex Ellison (Fort Hays State)  allowed just one run through the first six innings before giving up two in the seventh.

Nebraska’s Austin Darby had two hits as the Larks fall to 7-3 and 4-3 in the Jayhawk League where they drop out of first for the first time this season.

After an off day Thursday, they return home to host Haysville in the first of three Friday night.