Hauser Holds Down Dodge

Matt Hauser worked all nine innings of Liberal’s 6-1 win over Dodge City Monday night at Brent Gould Field. Hauser allowed three hits and struck out 11 in improving to 4-2. “Really I was just locating my fast ball,” the righty from Newport Beach, California said. “I didn’t have my off speed today so I was trying to focus on throwing my fast ball where I wanted it. At the beginning of the game my arm was a little bit tight but it loosened up toward the end.”

The BJ’s game Hauser enough offense as well. Dodge City (16-26, 5-24) plated a run in the third but Liberal scored two in the fourth, two in the fifth, one in the sixth, and one in the eighth in the win. Oklahoma Science and Arts shortstop Kevin Carby was 3-5 with two RBI’s and a double in the win. USC’s Mike Greco and UTA’s Chad Comer added two hits a piece in the win. Louisiana Tech’s Justin Gordey was 1-4 but his two RBI double in the fifth inning gave Liberal a 4-1 lead.

The complete game was the fourth of the summer for the BJ pitching staff. Logan Odom and Josh Reyes worked complete games in weather shortened games and Hauser pitched all eight innings in a loss at Hays. The Hauser’s outing with the first nine inning complete game for the staff. “I always want to throw the whole game,” Hauser said. “When you start, you want to finish it. I need to control my pitch count which I’ve had trouble with in the past. I threw 105 pitches which is a reasonable amount.”

Liberal is 26-18 overall and 17-14 in the Jayhawk League. They will host the Fairbanks Goldpanners Tuesday night at 7:00 PM at Brent Gould Field for Fan Appreciation Night. Brown’s Furniture is the buyout sponsor. The team MVP will be announced and presented an engraved watch from Staat’s Jewelers and the Board Director of the Year will be announced. Host parents will be introduced before the game. It will air on Talkradio 1270 and kscb.net.