AUGUSTA, Kan. – The Hays Larks knew they were headed to the NBC World Series regardless of what happened at the KCLB Post-Season Tournament but they went ahead and won the tournament title for good measure. The Larks (32-10) scored five runs in the first inning then held on the rest of the way to edge the Wellington Heat 10-9 to secure the automatic bid into the first week of the NBC World Series.

Drew Marrufo walked two batters and hit two batters with two outs in the ninth which allowed three runs to score, but with the tying run at first he got a fly out to end the rally and the game.

Starter Tommy Garcia (5-0) struck out eight without issuing a walk over seven innings and picked up the win. The Mesa (AZ) CC product allowed five runs, four earned, on 10 hits.

Jerrod Belbin hit a three-run homer to highlight the Larks five-run first inning. George Sutherland also drove in three runs and Justin Lee went 4-for-5 to lead the Larks offensively.

The Larks will begin play NBC World Series play sometime Saturday against a yet to be determined opponent. You can hear all of the Larks action from Eck Stadium on KAYS (94.3-FM, 1400-AM) and on the KAYS app.