The Hays Larks scored nine runs in the fifth inning and ran their win streak to six straight Tuesday night in a 12-2 run-rule victory over the Dodge City Athletics.
Dodge City took an early 1-0 lead on a lead-off homerun in the top of the first inning.
It took the Larks (29-7, 20-3 RMBL) a few innings to get going but when their bats found a rhythm they did so in a big way.
The Larks finally broke onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jack Torosian led off the inning with his second homerun of the season tying the game at one and then later in the inning Hunter Rosson broke the tie with a two-run triple putting Hays up 3-1.
Leading by two, heading into the bottom of the fifth inning the Larks sent 14 to the plate in a nine-run inning.
With one out, nine straight Larks reached base. In the inning Garrett Gruell doubled in a pair of runs, Dylan Dreiling hit his nineth home run of the season, a two-run shot and Brady Evans drove in two runs with a double.
Hays collected six extra base hits in the inning as they built a 12-1 lead through five innings.
Dodge City got a run back in the sixth inning but Hays claimed the 12-2 run-rule victory in seven innings.
Starter Cade Brown did not factor into the decision but struckout a season-high seven and allowed just one run on four hits in four innings.
Kaleb Meredith earned the win with two innings of relief. He allowed one run on four hits.
Jack Torosian finished two-for-three with a homerun and two runs scored. Garrett Gruell was two-for-three with four RBI’s. Hunter Rosson drove in three runs and Dylan Dreiling homered and drove in two runs. Brady Evans also drove in two.
Hays will host Liberal for a key two-game series Thursday and Friday at Larks Park.