The Hays Larks scored three in the seventh to take the lead then added seven in the ninth to blow the game open and defeat the Wellington Heat 12-3 Friday night in game one of their key early season Jayhawk League series at Hibbs-Hooten Field in Wellington. It’s the Larks eighth straight win which improves them to 11-1 overall and 6-1 in the Jayhawk League. The Heat fall to 9-3 on the season and 5-3 in league play, two games back of the Larks in the standings.

The Larks grabbed the early lead, scoring two in the third on an Aaron Cornell two-run homer. Wellington tied the game with two in the fourth then grabbed the lead with a run in the fifth. It would stay 2-1 until the seventh when Cornell gave the Larks the lead for good with a two-out, two-run double. Two batters later Clayton Garland was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

The Larks then blew the game open scoring seven in the top of the ninth. Taylor Peterson and Josh White both hit two-run singles. Zair Koeiman drove in a run with a double. Clayton Garland knocked one in with a single and Ty Gilmore drove in one on a groundout.

Aaron Cornell had a big night at the plate, going 3-for-6 with a homer and a double, four RBIs and two runs scored. His home run was his first as a Lark since 7/14/11 at Haysville. It also extended his hit streak to 11 games dating back to last season. Clayton Garland, Taylor Peterson and Josh White all had two RBIs in the game

Jason Zgardowski moved to 2-0 in his second start, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out three and walking three over six innings. DJ Carr pitched three scoreless innings for the save.

Jayhawk League scores from Friday…
Dodge City 9, Derby 6
El Doardo 5, Liberal 4