DERBY – The Hays Larks scored five runs in the eighth inning to break a scoreless tie then held on for a 5-2 win over the Derby Twins Tuesday night at Panther Field. Austin O’Brien reached on an error then scored on a balk to give the Larks (22-5, 17-5 JL) the lead. Andy Shadid then hit a grand slam to put Hays up 5-0.

The Twins (8-16, 7-13 JL) used two walks and two singles to score two runs in the ninth before Chad Smith came in to get the final out with the tying run at the plate. It’s Smith’s eighth save of the season and seventh in his last seven appearances.

Sam Reed (1-0), one of five Larks pitchers used in the game, pitched a scoreless seventh and picked up the win.

The Larks improve to 2-1 in the second half of Jayhawk League play. They are off until Friday when they open a nine-game homestand with the first of three against Haysville.