DERBY, Kan. – Nate Olinger and Mike Mioduszewski both homered to lead the Hays Larks to a 9-2 win over Derby in the first game of their two-game series at Panther Field. Olinger hit a three-run blast in the fourth and Mioduszewski a solo shot in the sixth as the Larks (32-9, 28-9 JL) built a 7-0 lead and maintain their one-game lead over Liberal in the Jayhawk League second half.

Mioduszewski had five hits and drove in six, Josh Minjarez had three hits and scored three runs as the Larks win for the ninth time in their last 10 games. Ty Redington also had a hit to extend his hitting streak to a team-high 13 games.

Keegan Curtis (2-0) scattered four hits over five scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and two walks for the win. Ben Cilano allowed two runs on three hits in two innings of relief. Layne Downing pitched two scoreless innings to close out the game.

Liberal stayed a game back of the Larks with a 4-1 win at Bethany.