EARL WATT

   • Leader & Times

While the Bee Jays and Hays Larks are 2-2 in the first four games they’ve played against each other this season, the Bee Jays won two league games while dropping to non-league games to the Larks.

Liberal dropped a nonleague game Monday at Brent Gould Field 18-7.

The Bee Jays used four different pitchers in the seven-inning game that was shortened by rune rule.

The final pitcher was position player Jhett Huffman, a move that may have been more about saving the pitching staff for the upcoming league games.

Hays scored five runs in the first three innings against Preston Roberge who allowed five hits and no walks.

Drew Gartman scored on a passed ball in the fourth to cut the lead to 5-1, but Hays pushed four more runs across the plate in the fifth to take a 9-1 lead.

Josiah Rojas scored on a sacrifice fly by Wyatt Bohanon, and Liberal trailed 9-2.

Hays pushed out to a 16-2 lead with three home runs in the sixth, and the Bee Jays pushed a lone run cross the plate in the bottom of the frame. Another home run by Hays in the seventh pushed the lead to 18-3 before the Bee Jays pushed four runs across the plate in the bottom of the seventh for the 18-7 final.

The teams will face off again tonight and Wednesday in key Rocky Mountain League games in the final match-ups between Hays and Liberal.