Bee Jays Sparkle in Fourth of July Victory

Liberal Bee Jays won the 4th of July game 6-4 over the Dodge City A’s Sunday night before a large crowd at Brent Gould Field. Arkansas lefty and third year BJ Christian Kowalchuk (1-1) pitched six innings allowing two runs and striking out four in his first win. Lamar’s Brandon Ward-Hersee pitched an inning an one-third for his fifth save. The Bee Jays got off to a strong start offensively scoring four in the first after Dodge scored one. Concordia’s Joe Vaskas hit a two run homer before Lubbock Christian’s Mark Gomez doubled home a run and College of Sequoias Joe Perez singled home a run. Dodge plated another run in the second to make it 4-2. The Jays added a run in the third when Gomez singled home Rhode Island’s Kyle Borden. The BJ’s added a run in the fourth when Seward’s Kelby Tomlinson doubled home Oklahoma Science and Arts’ David Masters.

The Bee Jays win their seventh in a row and improve to 16-6 overall and 8-6 in the Jayhawk League. The A’s lose their ninth straight to fall to 10-14 overall and 4-11 in the Jayhawk League.

The fireworks were delayed about 15 minutes after the game due to the wind. About 30 Vietnam Veterans were recognized and given a standing ovation after the game. Staff Sergeant Mike Miller and the son of Jared Plunk of Turpin who was killed June 25 in Afghanistan threw the ceremonial first pitches.

Liberal plays at Hays Tuesday night at 7 p.m. on Talkradio 1270, kscbnews.net, and Windjammer Channel 8.