The Liberal Bee Jays shut out an opponent for the first time this season.  Behind seven strong innings from Hunter Phillips, the B.J.’s shut out the Colorado Roughriders 6-0 Friday night at Brent Gould Field.  Liberal remains in first place by one game over Hays in the Rocky Mountain League.

Ben Merriman hammered a home run just to the left of center for a 1-0 lead in the third.  Liberal scored two in the fourth.  After an error, Ryota Kusumoto singled.  Julius Ramirez drove home a run.  Kyzer Harrington singled and Ben Merriman singled home a run for a 3-0 lead.  The Bee Jays added three in the eighth for insurance.  Julius Ramirez singled to lead off the inning.  Ben Merriman singled home two runs.  Miller Durham hit a sac fly.

Liberal out-hit the Roughriders 13-4.  The Riders had four errors.  Hunter Phillips was Epic Touch Player of the Game going seven shutout innings with 10 strikeouts and three walks.  Kage Ralstin pitched two shutout innings.  Ben Merriman was 3-5 with a homer and four RBI’s.  Ryota Kusumoto was 3-4 with a double.  Kyzer Harrington was 3-3 with a double.

The Roughriders fall to 9-12 in the RMBL.  Liberal is 20-4 overall and 18-4 in the Rocky Mountain.  Liberal hosts the Roughriders Saturday night at 7pm with a 6:45 Dugout Show on 1270 and 92.3.  Liberal Kenworth is the buyout sponsor.