The Liberal Bee Jays opened their two game Rocky Mountain League series with a 3-1 win over the Western Nebraska Pioneers Sunday night at Brent Gould Field. The Bee Jays won the pitchers’ dual 3-1.
The Pioneers, from Gering, Nebraska, scored one run on five hits while Liberal had three runs on nine hits. The B.J.’s did not commit an error while the Pioneers had two.
It was scoreless until the Pioneers scored one in the fifth. The Bee Jays struck late with a three run seventh. Newcomer Miller Durham led off the inning with a double off the wall in right. Ryota Kusumoto lined a single to center to tie the game. Matt Mendez singled before Tanner Gerosa laced a double to left center to plate two runs and give the B.J.’s a 3-1 lead.
Miller Durham was Epic Touch Player of the Game going 3-4. Luke Steward started and worked four shutout innings allowing just one hit. Brooks Kappelmann got the win going three innings with four strikeouts and no walks. Ashton Jenkins worked a scoreless eighth and Rob Bonilla worked a scoreless ninth.
Western Nebraska is 9-6 overall and 5-5 in the Rocky Mountain. Liberal is 7-2 overall and 6-2 in the Rocky Mountain. The same two teams meet Monday night at 7pm at Brent Gould Field. Dugout Show at 6:45 on 1270 and 92.3. Lewis Motors is the buyout sponsor.
