Month: September 2021

Pirates homecoming comeback falls short

Junior quarterback Logan Ladish, right, handed off to sophomore Jamar ReAir Jarrett before he ran the ball through Leavenworth’s defense. Leavenworth won the game 25-23. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)

by Lexi Miles

After coming off a close last-play win last week, Piper was left with a familiar feeling at the end of the game, rushing to top its opponent. Piper fell to Leavenworth 25-23 on homecoming night. Piper held its homecoming parade and crowning prior to the game.

In the first quarter, Piper was quick to start as they scored the first points of the night by senior Logan Ladish. Blake Porter scored the extra points, putting Piper up 8-0 with nearly 11 minutes to go in the first quarter.

The second quarter started with the same score until Leavenworth scored a touchdown with a minute until half, and scored the extra points. This made the score 8-8 at half.

Midway through the third quarter, Leavenworth started the half first after it ran 3 yards to score a touchdown and the 2-point conversion. Piper responded with a 9-yard touchdown throw, tying 16-16 at the end of the quarter with the extra points scored.

Leavenworth then threw another touchdown, but failed to score the two points. Piper quickly followed after inching closer to the end zone. Piper made the kick, leading 23-22 with 4 minutes left in the game.

On fourth down, Leavenworth scored a 37-yard field goal with a minute left in the game. The score was 25-23 with Piper being in a familiar area again with a minute left to go.

After several plays, Piper couldn’t complete another last-minute win. Leavenworth won 25-23, making it Piper’s first loss of the season.

Piper will be on the road at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, against Louisburg.

Seniors Adam Novak and Abby Cahill celebrated as Cahill was announced homecoming queen. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)

 

The Piper student section cheered as it threw purple powder before kickoff. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)

 

Senior Jaylon Pride cut back on a Leavenworth defender in the fourth quarter before he ran down the field. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)

 

Junior Cameron Rogers blocked Leavenworth’s defense as Logan Ladish looked down the field for a pass. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)

 

Logan Ladish looked for a pass in the fourth quarter. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)

 

Junior Logan Ladish punted the ball after Piper was unable to make a first down. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)

 

Sophomore Lamar Lynch celebrated after he sacked Leavenworth’s quarterback. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)

Monarchs lead 1-0 in finals series

The Monarchs’ Matt Hall was the winning pitcher of the first game of the American Association Finals series on Friday night in Fargo, North Dakota. Hall struck out seven batters Friday. (Photo from Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks)
The Monarchs’ Gaby Guerrero batted on Friday night in the American Association Finals series in Fargo, North Dakota. Guerrero had three hits Friday. (Photo from Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks)

by Kaitlyn Sanders, Kansas City Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs did not know 24 hours ago who they would face in the American Association Finals Friday night. That short notice did not hurt the Monarchs as they won game one 8-4 away at Newman Outdoor Field against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.

The scoring started early as Ryan Grotjohn shot a two-run home run, bringing in Morgan McCullough, who had reached first base on a walk.

Darnell Sweeney then launched a solo home run, giving the Monarchs their third run of the inning. The Monarchs have scored in the first inning of their previous three playoff games this post season.

The RedHawks grabbed two runs on an RBI single and fielder’s choice, courtesy of Leobaldo Pina and Dylan Kelly, cutting into the Monarchs lead 3-2.

The second and third innings were scoreless for the Monarchs, but a double from Dylan Kelly brought in his second and third RBI of the night, and the RedHawks took the lead for the first time, 4-3, heading into the fourth. It was the first post-season deficit KC had faced this season.

The fifth was another multi-run inning for the Monarchs with an RBI double from Colin Willis and an RBI single from Casey Gillaspie, who scored a run off another wild pitch, taking back the lead, 6-4.

The Monarchs produced back-to-back scoring innings as Grotjohn ran in off a wild pitch before a sacrifice fly from Gillaspie brought the score to 8-4 going into the seventh.

Starting left-handed pitcher Matt Hall went six innings, giving up seven hits, four runs and getting seven strikeouts. Right-handed pitcher Jeremy Rhoades went two innings, allowing no hits but striking out four. Right-hander Jameson McGrane pitched the ninth, allowing one hit, no runs and two strikeouts.

Game two of the championship series will continue at 6:30 p.m.Saturday in Fargo. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pregame beginning at 6 p.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.

The Monarchs are set to host games three through five (if necessary) Monday Sept. 20, 21 and 22 at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas.

Tickets to all Monarchs post season games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com.