By EARLWATT

• Daily Leader

Timothy Fitzgerald and Jared Hasik

combined for six home runs at the

state tournament, and the effort was

not lost on the players themselves,

“To hit six home runs in four games,

that’s pretty impressive,” Hasik said.

Fitzgerald agreed.

The two weren’t new to big games.

As 8-year-olds, they advanced to the

Midwest Regional only to struggle in

Booneville, Mo.

“We didn’t play very well, and it was

humid,” Fitzgerald said.

This time the Midwest Regional is

in Lamar, Colo., with a climate

similar to Liberal.

And they have a team of strong

support that has improved since that

trip four years ago.

Edwin Pineda was six for nine at the

state tournament. Stevie Lira was

seven for 14 and pitched 12 strong

innings.

Angel Archuletta threw two runners

out at second.

“Our goal is to get to the World

Series,” Hasik said.

“We can do it,” Fitzgerald added.