The Hays Larks scored a season-high 16 runs on 21 hits Tuesday night at Cavalier Field in Dodge City, and they needed every one of them as they hold off the Dodge City Athletics 16-11 to move within a game of second-place Liberal in the Jayhawk League North Division.

Corky Welch hit a grand slam highlighting the Larks (21-17, 17-15 JL) five-run first inning. Welch finished 4-for-5 with seven RBI’s as Hays built a 10-2 lead after 2 1/2 innings and were up 12-4 heading to the bottom of the seventh.

Dodge City (19-19, 14-18 JL) struck for five in the seventh then added two in the ninth.

Derrick Mount had three hits and drove in three as the Larks to 7-1 against the Athletics this summer.

Jake Wilcox (2-2), one of seven Larks pitchers used in the game, picks up the win.

The Larks have now won six of their last seven and begin a crucial four-game series with Liberal Thursday to determine the Jayhawk League’s entry into the first week of the NBC World Series. Games one and two are in Liberal Thursday and Friday with the final two games Saturday and Sunday at Larks Park.