Larks win series finale over Liberal

HAYS – Augie Gillardo held Liberal to one run after they loaded the bases with nobody out in the first inning, the Larks responded with six runs in the first two innings then pulled away late for a 9-5 win over the Bee Jays Thursday night at Larks Park. The Larks (25-8, 21-8 JL), who are 3-3 on their longest homestand of the summer, take two of three for the first-place Bee Jays (15-17, 14-16 JL) to move within a game in the second half Jayhawk League standings.

Frank Leo Postgame

Game Highlights

Austin O’Brien, Mike Mioduszewski and Austin Bell all drove in runs in the larks four-run first inning. O’Brien and Andy Shaded had run scoring singles in the second as the Larks built a 6-2 lead.

Liberal would chip away with single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth, but the Larks answered with a three in the seventh to put the game away.

The top four batters in the Larks lineup (Ty Redington, Nate Olinger, Austin O’Brien and Mike Mioduszewski) all had two hits and the bottom three (Matt Waller, Alex Weiss and Andy Shadid) combined for five.

Liberal stranded 10 base runners, nine of them in scoring position and eight of them were in the first six innings.

Gillardo (3-0) allowed three runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and two walks and gets the win. He got a strikeout and two ground balls to get out of the jam in the first. He left after five innings and 99 pitches. Shane Browning allowed one run on two hits in two innings of relief. Graylon Brown worked a perfect eighth and Chad Smith allowed a run on a hits in the ninth.

The Larks open a four-game weekend series with Wellington Friday night. Free admission for the 7 pm game courtesy of Western Beverage and Quest Diagnostic. The two team will play a doubleheader Saturday beginning and 6 pm. Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Insurance Planning are the buyout sponsors. Saturday is also Pack the Pantry Night with all fans encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item. Sunday is Harley Night with admission courtesy of Golden Belt Bank, HOG Chapter and Doerfler’s Harley Davidson.