HAYS, Kan. – El Dorado rallied with two runs in the seventh inning and two in the eighth and knock off the Hays Larks 4-3 Thursday night to salvage the final game of their three-game series at Larks Park. The Larks (6-1, 2-1 JL) did all of their damage in the third. Jax Biggers scored in a throwing error then Austin O’Brien and Devlin Grandberg followed with RBI singles to put Hays up 3-0.

Larks manager Frank Leo on his team’s first loss of the season

Game Highlights

The Broncos (4-2, 1-2 JL) used back-to-back singles to start the seventh and scored on a two-out base hit from Grant Ware, who had been hitless on the season, and a bases loaded walk to Nick Hammeke. They would get the go-ahead run across on Ethan Maxey’s two-out single an inning later.

The Larks, who were held to one hit after the fourth inning, loaded the bases in the eighth but back-to-back strikeouts of Jacob Boston and Garrett McKenzie ended the threat. Nebraska-Kearney’s Chase Gulzow set the Larks down in order in the ninth and gets the save.

New Mexico’s Austin Isenhart allowed two runs on four hits over an inning of relief and suffered the loss in his Larks debut. Starter Augie Gillardo gave up one run on five hits over six innings.

New Mexico’s Austin Bell had three of the Larks eight hits and drove in a run.

The Larks are on the road for nine of their next 12 starting Friday night with the first of three at Haysville. The Aviators, who won the Jayhawk League South Division and championship series a year ago, moved to 3-0 in league play with a win over Liberal Thursday night.

Thursday’s Jayhawk League results
El Dorado 4, Hays 3
Bethany 11, Wellington 2
Dodge City 13, Derby 8
Haysville 7, Liberal 5