EARL WATT
• Leader & Times
The Bee Jays used their ability to hit the deep ball, Denver Cougar errors and a solid weekend of defense to sweep a three-game series and remain a half game behind the Hays Larks in the Rocky Mountain League standings.
Robert Orr provided the shot that ended Game 1 when he sent a pitch deep over the left field fence with two on base in the eighth inning for a walk-off home run in a 12-1 win.
The Bee Jays struck out 15 times in the win, but they also belted out 12 hits.
Tanner Gerosa also had a home run in the win.
Parker King and Jason Davis combined to only allow one run on four hits and no walks while striking out 11.
Liberal jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning Saturday and added five more in the third en route to an 11-3 win.
Ben Merriman and Julius Ramirez homered in the win, and Ramirez also had five RBIs including his grand slam shot.
Fidel Hatch earned the win on the mound and allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out three in five innings.
Logan Wade pitched three innings of relief and allowed two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out three.
Nate Lockwood closed the game with a shutout ninth inning, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out one.
The Bee Jays shortened Game 3 to seven innings after scoring one in the second, five in the third, three in the fourth, and single runs in the fifth and sixth for an 11-1 run rule win.
Hunter Phillips pitched all seven innings and only allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out two.
The Bee Jays had another multiple home run game with long balls from James Nolan and Matt Mendez.
Ryota Kumamoto had a triple.
The win kept the Bee Jays within a half game of Rocky Mountain League-leading Hays.
While the Bee Jays were sweeping the Cougars, Hays knocked off the Gameday Angels for three straight wins in close games, 2-1, 8-5, and 5-2.
Liberal will travel to Colorado for three road games against three different teams. The Bee Jays will complete the season series with eh Denver Cougars Wednesday.
Liberal will then travel to face the Colorado Rough Riders Thursday before facing the Gameday Angels Thursday.
Hays will be facing the Western Nebraska Pioneers Wednesday and Thursday before facing the Fort Collins Foxes, all road games for Hays.
