A Bracket Awaits Bee Jays After Win Over Boulder

1. The Liberal Bee Jays are on to the round of 12 and the single elimination portion of the NBC World Series.  The finish second in their pool after a 13-9 win over the Boulder Collegians late Tuesday night at Eck Stadium in Wichita.  The B.J.’s missed winning the pool by one run.

Liberal started strong with three in the first.  Ben Merriman, Miller Durham, and Robert Orr singled before Julius Ramirez brought them all home with a three RBI double to right center.  B.J. starter Fidel Hatch cruised through three before the B.J. defense let them down in the fourth allowing seven unearned runs after three B.J. errors.  But after the Collegians scored seven in the fourth to lead 7-3, the B.J.’s responded with seven of their own to lead 10-7.  Kyzer Harrington walked with the bases loaded to make it 7-4.  Ben Merriman provided a two RBI single to right to make the score 7-6.  Robert Orr walked to drive home a run.  Julius Ramirez grounded a two RBI double down the third baseline for the 9-7 lead.  Joel Roberts singled home a run for the 10-7 lead.  Miller Durham grounded out to plate a run in the fifth for the 11-7 lead.  Joel Roberts singled home a run in the sixth to lead 12-7.  Boulder crept closer with two in the seventh to make it 12-9.  Ben Merriman singled to lead off the seventh and scored when Julius Ramirez line a sac fly to center for the 13-9 lead.

Liberal out-hit Boulder 11-9.  Liberal committed three errors and Boulder had one.  Fidel Hatch pitched three innings and did not allow an earned run.  Garret Odey, who pitched for Dodge City during the season, worked three shutout innings.  Kage Ralstin worked the last two innings with four strikeouts, no runs, and no hits.

Julius Ramirez was Epic Touch Player of the Game going 2-3 with two doubles and six RBI’s.  Ben Merriman was 3-5.  Lane Snow and Joel Roberts had two hits a piece.

Boulder is 29-6 and Liberal is 26-8 overall.  The Bee Jays play the defending NBC champion Hutchinson Monarchs Wednesday at noon with B.J. Dugout Show at 11:45 on 1270 and 92.3