The Liberal Bee Jays are now 2-10 in one run games after a 7-6 loss to the Wellington Heat Sunday night at Brent Gould Field. The Heat are 14-1 in one run games. There’s one difference between a team soaring into the NBC World Series and a BJ team enduring one of the least productive years in their sixty year history. The Bee Jays have lost seven of the last nine and are 12-20 and in fifth of the Jayhawk League.
Liberal came out ready to play scoring two in the first when Zach Hoffman singled home a run and Mike Rampone hard ground ball to second scored a second run to give Liberal a 2-0 lead. Liberal added a run in the second when Alec Isaac lined a sacrifice fly to center. The Heat bounced back with two runs on three hits in the third against BJ starter Travis Orwig. The BJ’s took a 4-2 lead in the third when Seth Stevens lined a sacrifice fly to right. The Heat got to Liberal’s bullpen scoring two in the fifth against reliever JB Olson to tie the game at 4-4. They added a two spot in the sixth against Tyler Wiedenfeld to lead 6-4. The BJ’s tied the game in the seventh when Kyle Lieser singled and Brady Cox hit a sacrifice fly to tie it at 6-6. The Heat chased home a run against Blake Rogers in the ninth to lead 7-6. Their closer Robbier Romero struck out the side in the ninth for his 13th save in league play. The Heat out-hit the BJ’s 13-9 and both teams had two errors a piece. Liberal had 10 errors in the series.
Liberal is 18-20 and 12-20 in the Jayhawk League. Wellington is 35-6 and 26-4 in league. Liberal hosts Dodge City for their final home game Tuesday night at 7 on 1270 and kscbnews.net. Apple Hutch is the buyout sponsor. Host families will be recognized with their players before the game and are encouraged to be at the ballpark by about 6:30.
Hays completed a four game sweep over Derby 7-3 at Larks Park. Dodge City defeated fourth place El Dorado 5-2 at Cavalier Field in Dodge City.
Wellington 26-4
Hays 19-13
Derby 15-16
El Dorado 12-19
Liberal 12-20
Dodge City 9-21
