LIBERAL – Liberal used a four-run third inning to build an early lead and then held off a late Hays Larks rally for a 6-3 win Thursday.

The Bee Jays sent nine to the plate in the third and got a pair of RBI singles and scored two on an error as they built a 4-0 lead.

Hays got a run back in the fourth on a George Southerland RBI single and then added two more in the top of the sixth inning. Herman Yanez drove in the first run of the inning on a fielder’s choice and Max McGuire followed that with an RBI single to cut the Bee Jays lead to 4-3.

In the bottom of the inning the Bee Jays got those two runs back to take a 6-3 lead.

Down three runs the Larks threatened in the seventh and again in the ninth but left the bases loaded as they drop their third game in four tries in Liberal.

Hays starter Michael Gilliland gave up six runs, three earned over five innings and suffered the loss.

Southerland finished two-for-four with an RBI and a run scored.

The loss drops the Larks to 14-4 and 5-3 Kansas Collegiate League Baseball.

They have Friday off ahead of a four-game series with Valley Center.

Saturday is Larkstoberfest and Old Timers night.

You can hear both Saturday and Sundays games on KAYS beginning at 6:45 p.m. each night.