The El Dorado Broncos have had a knack of scoring runs in waves so far this season, averaging almost eight runs through their first 14 games of the season.
But the Broncos couldn’t find an answer against Liberal starting pitcher Don Lisi and two relievers and were shut out for the first time in 2009, a 4-0 setback Wednesday night at McDonald Stadium.
Lisi (Oklahoma State- Crowder CC) threw 7 2/3 innings and gave up only three hits: a double and single to Tyler Whipple (Louisiana-Lafayette) and a third-inning single to Matt Giller (Kansas State). The righthander struck out four and walked four, and also induced two double plays against the Broncos (11-4, 9-4 Jayhawk)
“There are two ways to look at it; either we didn’t hit or that the pitcher pitched a heck of a game,” said Broncos head coach Andrew Schatzley. “(Lisi) just pitched a heck of a game.
“There are things I wish we have done different, and things I wish I would have done different. It was a tough night and it won’t be the last tough night this summer.”
Liberal (9-10, 7-8) scored the only run it would need in the second inning on a RBI single by John Haines (New Mexico JC) off of losing pitcher Justin Lindsey (Kansas State).
Lindsey had a strong outing with 11 strikeouts in his five innings pitched. He gave up two BeeJays’ hits, walked two, hit a batter and was called for a balk.
The BeeJays scored two more in the seventh inning when Alex Williams scored on a double play and a RBI single by Tanner Rindles (Lubbock Christian). Liberal’s final run came on a sacrifice fly by Haines.
The Broncos travel to Hays for a four-game series starting tonight against the Larks (7-6, 4-5). El Dorado hasn’t won at Larks Park since 2004, an 18-game losing streak.
“It’s time to move on,” Schatzley said. “We have four big games in Hays this weekend. This doesn’t change anything. We’re still the same team that had won four in a row.”
LIBERAL 4, EL DORADO 0
Liberal 001 000 210 — 4 6 0
El Dorado 000 000 000 — 0 3 1
Lisi, Reyes (8), Caster (9) and Haines; Lindsey, Simmons (6), Sabol (7), Lewis (8), Guy (9) and Carman. WP — Lisi. LP — Lindsey. Multiple hits — Liberal, Williams 2; El Dorado, Whipple 2. Multiple RBIs — Liberal, Haines 2. Records — Liberal 9-10 (7-8), El Dorado 11-4 (9-4).
