Mother Nature finally decided to let the Monarchs play a game, and it turned out to be a defensive and pitcher's duel on both sides. But when push came to shove, one mistake by Leavenworth in each area gave Midland a hard-earned victory.

 

Chris Seagraves took the mound for the start, fresh off four innings of no-hit ball in the season opener. But unlike Johnny Vander Meer of the 1930s, consecutive no-hitters were not to be. In fact, Leavenworth's second hitter punched an RBI single into right field to give the home team a quick 1-0 lead. A heads-up throw from catcher Dylan Smith caught the surprised runner at second as he tried to stretch the single into a double, leaving the bases empty. With that brief flurry out of the way, Chris settled down and retired 14 of the next 17 batters, including 10 in a row at one point.

 

On their side of the plate, the Monarchs weren't doing much better in the hitting department. While Midland collected a walk and HBP in the first, they also chalked up two strikeouts. Two more baserunners in the second went for naught, with another strikeout and a very questionable pick-off at second. (questionable enough that Coach Nelson made a visit to the field umpire to discuss the call) Now - there's one item from the second for you to note and remember - when Chris drove a long fly ball to left, the Leavenworth left fielder pulled up on the ball, allowing it to bounce up against the wall for a single.

 

In the third inning, Midland picked up two MORE baserunners, but gave up an out on a caught stealing and were once again held scoreless. The fourth inning for Midland was another "promising start, bad finish" inning. The Monarchs had loaded the bases thanks to an Alex Connely single and two errors by the Leavenworth shortstop. Then it all came crashing to a halt as the opposition defense pulled off a 4-3 double play to end yet another inning with no runs. 

 

Meanwhile, Chris and the defense sailed along, getting 1-2-3 innings in the third, the fourth, and the fifth, andwith a minimal 31 pitches thrown. In right, Ryan Ash (normally at first) hauled in two fly balls, putting to rest his pre-game worries about playing the outfield! 

 

At last in the fifth, the Monarchs bats popped to life. Ryan led off the inning with a one of his patented booming double into the gap in right center, followed directly by another error at short on a pop fly. Leavenworth changed pitchers at this point, and got Cody Guthrie to hit into a 6-4 fielders choice. With men on the corners, Clay Lambrecht came to the plate and on a 1-1 count, sent a majestic bomb over the center field wall to put Midland up 3-1.

 

However, the play was not without additional drama. Remember that long single in the second inning I told you to keep in mind? Well, the left fielder on that play was now playing center, and he was not about to give up on THIS ball, even if it meant running into the outfield wall at full tilt. Which is exactly what he did... Coaches and players dashed into center field to provide what aid they could, and after 10 minutes or so, the Leavenworth player walked off the field to much applause, but with a visit to ER in his future.

 

The Monarchs went down 1-2-3 in the sixth, then gave up a small-ball run in the sixth. Leavenworth's #10 hitter walked on a full count, moved to second on a wild pitch, then was nicely bunted over to third. Two pitches later he scored on a 1-6-3 grounder, cutting the Midland lead in half.

 

Hoping for some insurance runs, the boys in red hit a couple of fly balls to left, but all were hauled in by the Pioneer defense, giving Leavenworth one final chance to tie the game. They got it off to a quick start, driving a long single down the line in left. Jacob Reinhart's quick grab of the ball and an accurate throw to second held the runner to a single, which ended up looming big in the final result. Once again playing small ball, the Pioneers bunted their runner to second, then moved him to third on a 1-3 comebacker to the mound.

 

With the tying run 90 feet away, Coach Nelson left the ballgame on the shoulders of starter Chris Seagraves. Two quick strikes, a set-em-up ball high, and a foul over the backstop. And exactly what Chris threw next I will not tell you - suffice it to say that the Leavenworth batter didn't know what it was either, and went down swinging for the final out. Monarchs win, 3-2!

 

NOTES: the Leavenworth centerfielder ended up with a slight concussion, five stiches in his lip, and one lost tooth. He also broke a hole in the fence with his knee... Clay earned a plate of chocolate chip cookies (with nuts) for his game-winning blast... Leavenworth's pitcher only needed to throw seven pitches in the sixth inning... Tip of the cap to 2B Alex Connely who alertly covered first on a sixth inning bunt after the first baseman charged for the ball...