HAYS, Kan. – Matthew Cavanagh had four hits including a home run, Justin Lee added three hits and drove in four to lead the Hays Larks to a 12-1 win over the Denver Cougars in their season opener Friday night at Larks Park. The Larks (1-0) scored six in the third and four in the fourth in the game which was called after seven innings by run-rule.

Cavanagh (UT-Arlington) hit a solo blast to left field in the second inning to break a 1-1 tie which gave the Larks the lead for good.

George Sutherland (Cochise [AZ] College), Wyatt Divis (UT-Arlington) and Justin Lee (Cochise [AZ] College) all drove in runs with base hits in the third. Jimmy DeLeon (Cochise [AZ] College) drew a bases loaded walk and Jarrod Belbin (Arizona Western) knocked in a run on a groundout to round out the frame.

Divis tripled in the fourth, driving in Sutherland who led off the inning with a walk. Cavanagh then singled home Divis and scored on Lee’s double to center field. Mikey Gangwish drove in the final run of the inning with a sacrifice fly to center.

Christian Pearcy (Rockford University) allowed one run on three hits with seven strikeouts and two walks for the win. Drew Marrufo (New Mexico) pitched the final two innings, striking out the side in the seventh to end the game.

The Larks and Cougars close out the two-game series Saturday at 6pm.