by Jaxson Webb, Monarchs
Geneva, Illinois — The Kane County Cougars (39-36) completed a come-from-behind victory and a series sweep against the Kansas City Monarchs (46-28) after a heroic eighth inning at home Sunday.
The Kansas City Monarchs placed the ball in right-handed pitcher Matt Hartman’s hands for his 11th start of the season on Sunday afternoon after the two-hour rain delay.
Despite having to wait the extra time until first pitch, Hartman stayed prepared for his start. The Westmont College graduate had more success this time around against the Cougars than his previous start on Aug. 2. The starter for Kansas City cruised through the first five frames against Kane County, allowing just six runners to reach base throughout his first five innings.
The Monarchs struck first in the top of the third inning, scoring one run off of a throw to second base to catch Jacob Robson stealing. Mallex Smith raced home on the throw to second from third base to start the scoring for the afternoon (1-0).
Kansas City struck again in the fifth inning with two runs. Robson laced a double that scored Kevin Santa and the newly acquired Gio Brusa (3-0).
Kane County knew it was time to strike as they answered in the bottom half of the fifth with two runs of their own. They finally cracked Hartman with an Alexis Pantoja two-RBI single (3-2). The single from Pantoja was one of just three hits that Hartman allowed all afternoon.
The Monarchs stretched their lead to two in exciting fashion in the eighth inning with a big city bomb from Matt Adams, his 22nd of the season (4-2).
The hometown Cougars kept clawing though and really turned the tide of the game after their biggest offensive inning in the bottom of the eighth. The scoring in the inning was started by a Sherman Johnson solo home run (4-3). Luke Mangieri then clubbed a huge triple that scored former Monarch, Nick Franklin to tie the game at four apiece. A single from Galli Cribbs Jr. allowed the Cougars to leap back in front of Kansas City on the next at-bat (5-4) off Jeremy Rhoades.
Kansas City loaded the bases after the first two batters struck out in the last call for the Monarchs. Jacob Robson collected his third hit of the afternoon to start the rally, Darnell Sweeney singled five pitches later, and Adams worked a five-pitch walk. Every bag a Monarch with the highly feared David Thompson stepping up to the plate. A hit by Thompson could have crushed the Cougars, but Ryan Tapani for Kane County got the out and completed the sweep against the Monarchs (5-4).
The Monarchs will begin a three-game away series against the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8.
The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:35 p.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.
Tickets to Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com.