Joe Betcher’s one-out single to right field scored MacKenzie Handel with the go-ahead run in the eighth inning as the Hays Larks rally for a 4-2 win over Dodge City in their regular season finale Wednesday night at Larks Park. The Larks would an insurance run on a throwing error off a Tito Andino grounder for the final margin.

Manager Frank Leo Postgame Intterview (Part 1)
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Manager Frank Leo Postgame Interview (Part 2)
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Aaron Cornell tied the game an inning earlier, scoring Andino second on a two-out single to right field.

Hays grabbed the early lead when Cornell advanced to second when the A’s right fielder dropped a fly ball. Handel later doubled, scoring Cornell. The game was then delayed for a half-hour due to lightning.

Dodge City tied the game with a run in the fourth then take the lead with another run in the seventh.

Caleb Hawkins (2-2) was one of seven Larks pitchers in the game and picks up the with a perfect eighth inning. Jason Heflin pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his third save.

Cornell had three of the Larks nine hits including one of their five doubles.

The Larks close out the regular season 29-11 and 23-11 in the Jayhawk League and win the league by four games over both Dodge City and Liberal who tie for second.

Game Highlights
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The Larks now head to the NBC World Series in Wichita where they open with the Colorado Collegiate Baseball League champ Greeley Grays at 7:30pm Monday. Dodge City will have the league’s runner-up entry while Liberal and El Dorado received at-large berths. Haysville is in by winning the Midwest Regional.

The World Series starts Saturday and runs through August 11th. You can hear all of the Larks action on 14-KAYS as well as on-line at www.hayspost.com.