EARL WATT
• Leader & Times
One bad inning prevented the Liberal Bee Jays from earning a series sweep against the Denver Cougars in a three-game set over the weekend, and it was the first inning.
Liberal gave up three runs in the series opener Saturday after the Friday game was postponed due to heavy rain.
The game was reduced to seven innings, and that, too, may have cost the Bee Jays who rallied late but could not take the lead in an 11-8 loss.
The Bee Jays had a better start in Game 2 of the Saturday double header and jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but the Cougars pushed three runs across the plate in the second to take the lead.
Liberal’s pitching staff took over from there and didn’t allow another Cougar to cross the plate while the offense added five more runs in an 8-3 win.
Sunday’s game was in jeopardy of being canceled when heavy rains pelted Liberal at noon before the 1:30 p.m.-scheduled final game of the series, but the field was prepped for play, and the game was only delayed about 15 minutes.
Liberal trailed 2-0 in the second inning when the Bee Jays erupted for five runs including a base-clearing triple from Drew Grego.
Liberal stretched out the lead and held off a late Cougar rally for an 11-7 win.
