HAYS – George Sutherland hit a first inning grand slam and Michael Gilliland pitched six solid innings to lead the Hays Larks to an 11-3 win over Dodge City Tuesday night at Larks Park. The victory gives them a one-game lead over Liberal in the KCLB Jayhawk West with three division games to play.

Frank Leo Postgame

Game Highlights

Sutherland’s blast over the right field wall put the Larks (24-7, 23-6 KCLB, 8-5 KCLB Jayhawk West) put the Larks up 4-0. Alex Strachen added a two-run homer to kick start a seven-run third. Skyler Luna, Jimmy DeLeon and Wyatt Divis all added RBI singles in the big inning which was capped by a Justin Lee two-run double.

Gilliland (3-1) allowed three runs on five hits with a season-high eight strikeouts and two walks over six innings for the win. He allowed a second inning two-run homer to Antonio Andrade and a fourth inning solo shot to Brett Graber.

The Larks bullpen retired all nine that they faced to close out the game. Trevor Munsch went two innings in his Larks debut. The Wichita State signee out of McLennan (Texas) CC struck out two. Drew Marrufo worked a 1-2-3 ninth.

The Larks and Dodge City play again tonight at Cavalier Field in Dodge City.