By The Hays Daily News

LIBERAL - The Hays Larks have struggled on a five-game road trip that ended with a 7-5 loss to Liberal on Thursday night. The Larks have struggled with injuries to their infielders and received another blow when manager Frank Leo announced infielder/relief pitcher Claudio Valencia will leave the team because of a wrist injury. Valencia had already missed several games with the injury. He batted .286 with zero homers and 10 RBIs in 49 at-bats and went 1-0 with a 0.00 earned-run average in three relief appearances covering three innings.

With the defeat, the Larks dropped to 14-8 overall, 8-8 in the Jayhawk League and dropped further behind first place Liberal. The BJs scored three runs in the first, and single runs in the second, third, fourth and seventh innings. Hays tallied two runs in the fifth, one in the sixth and two more in the eighth. Patrick Flanagan took the loss for Hays, allowing seven hits and five runs (three earned) in 21âÑ3 innings.

This weekend's series with El Dorado at Larks Park has been altered. Friday and Saturday's games will be played at 8 p.m. Saturday is Larkstoberfest/Old-Timers' Night. All former Larks are encouraged to be on hand to be honored before the game. Also, beginning at 5:30 p.m., there will be a tent set up for fans to enjoy bierocks, plus noodles, beans and kugen. There also will be $1.50 beverages all night.