Monarchs Topple Canaries with Shutout Win

Kansas City, KS — It was arguably the best outing of the season from KC as they took the first game of the series by storm with a 9-0 win over Sioux Falls.

The Monarchs jumped in front right from the get-go in the first frame as Marcus Smith walked and was sent home by a sac-fly from Austin Callahan.

KC really stepped on the gas pedal in the fourth inning with a two-out rally to drive in four tallies. The rally opened up with a Smith single and a Saul Garza walk. Callahan delivered once again with a liner into center field and Smith crossed home plate. Newly acquired and former big leaguer, JD Davis, stepped onto the scene and ripped an RBI single followed by an RBI from Sahid Valenzuela. Trevor Boone was back in action in a Monarchs uniform and drilled a grounder up the middle to bring in Davis to score. It was a 5-0 advantage after three frames.

Jimmy Endersby earned the nod on the bump and delivered his best performance of the season. He went seven innings while throwing four strikeouts and didn’t surrender any runs. It was a much needed outing from the California native. “At the end of the day, we wanted to attack hitters and be aggressive through the zone. Trying not to get behind (which) has been hurting me.”

Smith opened up the fourth frame with a single and then stole his third base of the night. For the third time in the game, Callahan brought him home. The third baseman finished the night going 2-4 with three RBI’s and one run. Callahan talked about his approach and said, “Just trying to see it as best as I can. We have been struggling as a team lately, but tonight was a good night for us to get back on track. Just trying to see the ball and put the barrel on it.”

It was Boone who officially announced his return doing what he does best in the fifth inning. He saw the 0-2 delivery and belted his 5th homer this season. The Oklahoma native played in his first game in 19 days and certainly came back with a vengeance. Nick Martini also collected his fifth home run this season in the seventh when he tacked on a two run bomb to right field to put the game to bed.

The Monarchs earned their 20th victory of the season and now stand two games ahead of Sioux Falls for first place in the west division. It is a quick turnaround for game 2 with an early first pitch slotted for 11:35 am tomorrow morning.