The Hays Larks hit two home runs and defeat Derby 4-2 Sunday night taking the Jayhawk League series two games to one. The Larks improve to 16-3 overall and 12-3 in Jayhawk League play. Derby falls to 9-8 overall and 7-8 in league play.

Zair Koeiman and Taylor Peterson hit solo homers, giving the Larks seven in the three-game series and helping them increase their league lead to four games.

Koeiman’s two-out RBI double put Hays up 1-0 in the first. He made it 2-0 with his solo homer in the third. Peterson gave them a 3-0 lead with his home run in the fourth.

Derby scored single runs in the fourth and fifth to pull within a run.

Aaron Cornell then led off the seventh with a single and eventually scored on a wild pitch for the final margin.

Collin Hightower pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing both runs on four hits while striking out six and walking one to move to 2-0. DJ Carr struck out two over an inning and a third then David Owen worked around a two-out single in the ninth, striking out the side for his first save.

The Larks are off Monday before opening a six-game homestand Tuesday night when they take on Dodge City.