AUGUSTA – One night after collecting 17 hits in a 10-1 rout of Wellington, the Hays Larks were held to four hits and shut out 4-0 by the Heat forcing a second and decisive title game at KCLB Post-Season Tournament at Rodney Wheeler Stadium.

It’s the first time the Larks have been shut out since June 14, 2018, when they lost 3-0 in game one of a doubleheader at Derby.

Wellington (28-13-1) scored three runs in the second inning which was all Hayden Woosley needed as he held the Larks to three singles over the first seven innings.

The Larks (31-10) best scoring chance came in the fifth when Jerrod Belbin and Max McGuire led off the inning with back-to-back singles. After Grant Lung popped up and was out on an infield fly, Belbin stole third and McGuire followed into second. Wyatt Divis followed with a fly out then Justin Lee grounded into a fielders choice to end the inning.

Belbin had two of the Larks four hits which were all singles.

Ryan Ruder (5-2) allowed three runs on seven hits over six innings with four strikeouts and three walks.

The second and deciding title game is Tuesday at 7pm in Augusta with the winner receiving the KCLB’s automatic spot in the First Week of the NBC World Series which begins Saturday at Eck Stadium in Wichita.