HAYS – Austin O’Brien had three hits including a home run and drove in three to lead the Hays Larks to a 12-3 win over the Alaska Goldpanners in a tune-up game prior to the NBC World Series Wednesday at Larks Park.

O’Brien hit a two-run shot in the first to give the Larks the lead for good. They would add two in the second then blow the game open with a five-run fifth.

The Larks used nine pitchers who all threw an inning. They combined to strike out five while walking two.

The Larks have now won five-straight and will take a 38-10 record into the NBC World Series where they open pool play Friday at 7 pm against the Hutchinson Monarchs who lost 17-2 Wednesday night in Dodge City.

You can hear all of the Larks games from the NBC Worlds Series on KJLS (103.3-FM).

El Dorado finished pool play with a 6-1 win over Action Baseball out of Texas Wednesday. They went 2-1 in pool play but don’t advance.

Liberal will try to move out of the First Week when they play the Cape Girardeau (MO) Capahas in one of two semifinals Wednesday night.