Monarchs Drop Final Game of the Series, Look Ahead to Home Opener

Geneva, IL — After a three-run lead for Kansas City, Kane County scores six unanswered to claim a 8-5 victory and take the final game of the series on Sunday afternoon.

The Monarchs jumped in front in the top half of the first when Sahid Valenzuela was hit by a pitch to get the inning going. This brought in Saul Garza who continued what was an outstanding weekend. The former LSU star saw the payoff pitch and hammered a two-run bomb to left field. It was the second time this weekend in which Garza homered in the first inning. He is already T-2nd in the league with two home-runs.

Dakota Chalmers got the start on the mound for Kansas City, he went four innings while giving up five hits and two runs. The Alpharetta, GA native also tallied two strikeouts in that timeframe. There were six total pitchers who stepped on the mound for the Monarchs. They accumulated six strikeouts.

Kane County wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning. For the third-straight day, Matt Bottcher drove in an RBI single to bring home Josh Allen and cut the lead in half.

These two teams traded punches and the Monarchs responded right back in the second inning. The local Kansas City native, Marcus Smith, registered his first hit this season on a liner to center field. Returning Monarch, Alvaro Gonzalez kept the line moving as he singled on his first at bat of the afternoon. Just like that, the Monarchs had runners at the corners with only one out. Hudson Head made an impact and reached first on a fielders choice, Smith raced on home to bring the lead to 3-1.

Once again, it was the Cougars chance to respond and they did just that. Alex McGarry walked and Sam Dexter grabbed a base hit to left field. Charles Mack, who was traded from Kansas City last week, ripped a hard ground ball to right field and brought in McGarry.

The game moved to the sixth inning and the Monarchs struck again. A preseason standout, Austin Callahan, started the frame with a single into left field. Smith followed it up with a walk and this allowed Gonzalez to pounce on the opportunity. Alvaro tagged the 0-1 pitch into center field to bring in both Callahan and Smith. He would finish the afternoon leading the team in hits, going 3-4 at the plate with two RBI’s. Kansas City ballooned into their largest lead of the day, going up 5-2.

Unfortunately, the Monarchs bullpen really struggled in this inning and gave up three-straight walks. The bases were loaded with Bottcher at the plate and no outs. He would continue his hot streak as he drove a ball into deep left field to bring in three runners. This contest was quickly tied up at five a piece and the inning did not stop there. Bottcher scored off of a fielders choice and Kansas City surrendered the lead for the first time.

The Cougars tacked on another two runs in the seventh frame when McGarry walked and Sam Dexter tripled to left field. Mack came through for the second time in the afternoon and registered an RBI-single.

Kansas City went stale offensively in the final three innings. They were out hit 11-7 and will look to move on from the opening-weekend series. The Monarchs will take the seven hour bus ride back home and get ready for the home-opener on Tuesday night. This will be the start of a six-game home stand and will first welcome in the Chicago Dogs for a three-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 at Legends Field.