The Junction City Brigade defeated the Liberty Monarchs 5-3 Monday evening at Rathert Field.

Junction City Head Coach Seth Wheeler confirmed the win propelled Junction City ( 17-10 ) into first place by one-half game in the western division ahead of the Topeka Golden Giants, who lost to the Midwest A’s Monday evening by a score of 13-4.

The Brigade fell behind early against Liberty 1-0 after one inning and 3-2 after three innings. Pitcher Blake Grellhesl came on in relief in the third inning and pitched through the eighth inning as Junction City surged ahead 5-3 with a two-run home run by Charlie Peyla in the fifth inning, and another run in the eighth. Henry DeNoble came on to pitch a scoreless ninth inning for the Brigade.

Junction City plays the Midwest Veterans in Olathe at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday while the Golden Giants play at the Baldwin City Blues at 7 p.m. Tuesday.