HAYS, Kan. – The Hays Larks avoided their first three-game losing streak of the summer with a 5-2 win over Great Bend Tuesday night at Larks Park.

Mikey Gangwish hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning to break open a one-run game then Tyler Starks worked out of a bases-loaded jam by striking out the side in the ninth for the save.

Starter Peyton Battenfield (3-1) allowed two runs on nine hits with nine strikeouts and no walks over eight innings for the win.

The Larks scored their first two runs off of Bat Cat errors before Gangwish’s third homer of the season gave them some breathing room.

Parker Schkade loaded the bases in the ninth thanks to an error and two singles before Starks came in and nailed down his fifth save of the season.

Liberal beat Dodge City so the Larks stay two back of the Bee Jays in the Jayhawk League.

Hays (18-8, 18-7 Jayhawk League) travels to Great Bend for a doubleheader Wednesday night before the two close out the series at Larks Park Thursday.