DODGE CITY – Connor Ross drove in five while Nate Olinger, Austin O’Brien, Mike Mioduszewski and Jacob Boston all had three hits to lead the Hays Larks to a 19-9 win over Dodge City Tuesday night at Cavalier Field and move the Larks back into first place in the Jayhawk League second half all by themselves.

The Larks (34-10, 30-10 JL) scored five runs in the third to take the lead for good and were up 9-7 heading into the fifth where they scored eight to take control. They sent 13 batters to the plate in the inning which included two-run singles from Ty Redington and Connor Ross. Alex Weiss and Matt Waller also drove in runs in the frame.

The 19 runs is a season high for Hays as they tie a season high with 20 hits.

Tyler Schwaner (2-0) pitched three innings of scoreless relief with three strikeouts and no walks and gets the win.

The Larks hold a one-game lead over El Dorado in the Jayhawk League second half. The Broncos lost 3-2 in Liberal Tuesday. Hays can lock up at least a share of the second half title with a win in the series finale Wednesday at Larks Park. Free admission for the 7 o’clock game courtesy of Wal-Mart.

LARKS TO HOST LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
The Larks will host the best of three Jayhawk League Championship Series beginning Friday at Larks Park. The Larks, who won the first half title, will play the winner of the second half. If Hays wins both titles, they will face the team with the second best winning percentage and would need to win the series to claim the Jayhawk League title.