GREAT BEND, Kan. – The Hays Larks scored five runs in the fifth inning then added two more in the sixth as they rally for a 7-3 win in game two of their doubleheader in Great Bend and settle for a split with the Bat Cats Wednesday at Al Burns Field. The Bat Cats (14-15, 14-15 Jayhawk League) exploded for nine runs in the first three innings and won the opener 9-4.

Clayton Rasbeary tied the second game with a two-run double. Colin Simpson gave the Larks (19-9, 19-8 Jayhawk League) the lead with a sacrifice fly. Mikey Gangwish and Max Remy followed with runs scoring singles. Simpson added a two-run single an inning later.

Dylan Schneider (1-0) allowed two earned runs on six hits over four innings for the win. Chad Smith pitched three scoreless frames for his first save.

Trevor Boone hit a three-run homer in the Larks four-run sixth in game one. Jake Norton (1-2) allowed five runs on no hits with four walks in one inning and suffered the loss.

Despite the split, the Larks gain ground on Liberal in the Jayhawk League race after the Bee Jays were swept by Dodge City. Hays and the Athletics are now one-game out of first place with Derby a game and a half back.

The Larks close out the four-game set with the Bat Cats Thursday night. It’s Stand Up To Cancer Night. There will be a special ceremony in the top of the 7th inning to honor cancer survivors and people who have fallen to cancer and Larks payers will be wearing pink jerseys and a pink autographed bat and two pink Larks autographed baseballs will be raffled.

Free Admission courtesy of the Hays Rotary, Simply Charmed and Emprise Bank for the 7pm contest.