GREAT BEND, Kan. – Alex Lopez and Tyler Starks combined on a five hit shutout to lead the Hays Larks to a 2-0 win over Great Bend in the Jayhawk League opener for both at Al Burns Field. The reigning league champs even their record at 1-1 while the Bat Cats drop their season and Jayhawk League debut.

Lopez (1-0), who led the Larks with eight wins a year ago, allowed four hits while striking out two with no walks and picked up the win in his first start of the season. Starks, who just completed his sophomore season at Stephen F. Austin, struck out seven and walked one while allowing one hit. He retired nine of the final 10 batters he faced for the four inning save.

The Larks (1-1) scored a run in the first when Trey Ochoa scored on a Bat Cat error. Alex Weiss scored the Larks second run in the top of the ninth on Clayton Rasbeary’s double.

The series shifts to Larks Park on Saturday. Free admission for the 7pm game courtesy of A&A Coors and Walmart.