Liberal does it again

Liberal, KS (westernkansasnews.com)-Brandon Kitch had one goal in mind when he took over the Bee Jays last summer: win the Jayhawk league. Well, that might not happen this year, but his team put themselves in position for a top-three finish with a 5-4 win over Dodge City at Brent Gould Field Thursday night. 

“There’s no pressure on these guys,” Liberal Coach Brandon Kitch said. “They know what’s in front of them.”

For the second straight night, the Bee Jay bats were hot early. Darien McLemore’s 1st-inning triple set up the first run. After Brady Capshaw struck out swinging, A’s catcher Andrew Bynum couldn’t squeeze the ball into his glove-allowing McLemore to score from third. Wigberto Nerarez would follow with an RBI single-giving the Bee Jays a 2-0 lead. 

Liberal (15-16) made it 3-0 an inning later when Luis Gilbeau drove in Zach Redding. 

Dodge City (8-21), wouldn’t go quietly. The A’s plated four runs in the 4th, thanks in large part to Luis Diaz’s three run, inside-the-park home run. The next hitter: Brian Romero followed with a solo blast to give Dodge City a 4-3 lead. 

The Bee Jays grabbed the equalizer in the bottom of the 4th on McLemore’s run-scoring double. Liberal’s second basemen finished the night 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. 

“This win puts us in a very good position,” McLemore said. “We have a chance, going into the weekend, to finish third; that’s what we want at this point.”

Liberal added an insurance run in the 6th on Tanner Kirk’s RBI ground out. 

Next up: Dodge City vs. Wellington Friday night at 7; Liberal vs. El Dorado Friday night at 7