HAYS, Kan. – D.J. Carr allowed one earned run on six hits over eight innings and Chad Smith pitched a scoreless ninth to lead the Hays Larks to a 3-2 win over Derby in their series opener Friday night at Larks Park. Carr (4-0) struck out five and walked none and didn’t allow a run past the third inning.

The Larks (17-2, 13-2 JL) scored a run in the first then two in the third after the Twins (4-13, 4-11 JL) tallied two in the top of the second to take a 2-1 lead. Austin O’Brien’s double scored Connor Ross to tie the game 2-2. Nate Olinger’s single scored O’Brien with the go-ahead run.

The Larks increased their lead atop the Jayhawk League to 3 1/2 games over Dodge City who lost at Haysville 12-8.

The Larks and Twins play the middle game of the three-game series Saturday night at 7 pm. Nex-Tech is the buyout sponsor for the annual Larkstoberfest game which will feature authentic German food and music.