GRANT COHEN - NBC Media Relations
HUTCHINSON, Kan. - Behind shutout pitching from Hayden Arnold and Cory Didier, the Liberal Bee Jays defeated the Hutchinson Monarchs 2-0 on Tuesday
Arnold recorded six strikeouts in six innings of work while Didier did not allow a hit in the final three innings of play. Monarchs pitcher Ryan Stuempfig of Wichita State led Hutchinson with three strikeouts in just two innings. Cayde Ward led the Bee Jays offensively, going 3-for-4 at the plate.
Following a Ward single in the bottom of the second inning, Tyler Delong came up with a double to right field to put runners in scoring position. Aidan Shepardson drove in the go-ahead run in the next at-bat, hitting a sacrifice fly to center field.
Liberal scored again in the bottom of the fourth inning, driving in a run off a sacrifice fly following two singles.
The Bee Jays will play either Santa Barabara or Denver in the winner’s bracket in Wichita on Thursday. The Monarchs will play the KCCBA All-Stars on Wednesday in Hutchinson at 6 p.m.