The Derby Twins used three home runs to grab the early lead and never looked back as they defeat the Hays Larks 14-3 in their series opener Friday night at Panther Stadium in Derby. The Larks have now dropped six of their last eight and fall to 10-6 overall and 7-6 in the Jayhawk League. The Twins improve to 12-5 and 8-4 in league play.

After Derby starter Drew Milligan struck out the side to open the game, the Twins used a leadoff triple and a bunt single to grab the early lead. They would score two in the second on a Brian Choi two-run homer then add four in the third highlighted by a solo homer from Dylan Dillard and a three-run blast from Central Missouri’s Colin Nevil.

The Twins added three more in the fourth and led 10-0 before the Larks scored on a throwing error in the fifth. The Larks loaded the bases with one out in the sixth, but Fort Hays State’s Gus Strunk was able to get his college teammate Cooper Langley to pop out and Evan Gruener to fly out to keep the Larks off the board.

The Twins then scored four in the seventh to blow the game away. Derek Birginske and Michael Burns both hit solo homers in the eighth and ninth respectively for the final margin.

Nick Goza takes the loss for the Larks, allowing 10 runs on 13 hits while striking out six and walking one over four innings. His Delta State teammate, Drew Milligan gets the win, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out two and walking one.

The Larks and Twins play again Saturday at 7pm before wrapping up the series Sunday with another 7pm game.

Elsewhere in the Jayhawk League Friday… Liberal handed Wellington their first loss 3-2 and El Dorado knocked off Dodge City 5-0… The Heat lead Derby 2 1/2 games in the Jayhawk League with the Larks 4 games back and Liberal 5 1/2.