The Hays Larks pick up their first win over the Liberal Bee Jays this season, holding on for a 5-4 victory Wednesday night at Larks Park.

The Larks open the scoring in the bottom of the first with Cody Gougler’s RBI single, driving home Sean Wilson for the 1-0 lead. Liberal would tie it in the fifth on Blake Bergeron’s RBI single.

Hays opens the bottom of the fifth with back-t0-back singles from Kelton Rule and Tito Andino. Rule would score on a bases-loaded walk by Gougler, while Andino scores on Aaron Cornell’s infield single. Cam Brown would cap the inning with a 2-RBI single to center, pushing the lead to 5-1.

Liberal responds with a three-run seventh, but strand runners at first and second as the Larks hold on to the 5-4 lead. The Bee Jays would get a runner at second in the eighth and at third in the ninth, but could not tie the game.

Andy Lewton gets the win, pitching five and a third innings, giving up a run on nine hits while striking out seven. Michael Burchett picks up his third save, pitching a scoreless ninth.

The Larks are 16-10 and 10-9 in the Jayhawk League. They are at Topeka on Thursday night for a non-league game against the Golden Giants before opening a three-game set at home against El Dorado on Friday.

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Game Highlights
Highlights Liberal 07-06-11