Redemption - Monarchs Off To Finals

It is what they've wanted from the beginning. A shot at the title. And next Monday the upstart Monarchs will get that very chance.

It was a grueling seven inning affair but after the dust had settled the Monarchs were one step closer to their ultimate goal - the coveted Championship T-shirt and a place in the Hall of Champions on the ESSC website.

The Monarchs played what the team is calling their most complete game in the win against the Genuine Draughts. Combining terrific fielding with timely hitting the Monarchs were able to defeat the Genuine Draughts 11-8 at Kaskitayo Fieldhouse. The Monarchs came into the game with plenty to prove. Not only was this the Monarchs inaugural playoff match but also it was against the only team that managed to defeat the Monarchs. And since the Screwball defaulted the Monarchs had been at home resting, dressing its wounds, and sharpening its claws (although Monarchs don't exactly have claw the analogy is important for the emotion of the story).

But the layoff appeared to have an effect on the team as they were only able to score 1 run in the first inning. The offense appeared to show rust and the defense was not different. The first inning left the game at a 4-1 game for the Genuine Draughts. The first inning was over and Monarch spirits appeared to be down. The teams one fan/honourary Monarch-of-the-day 'Pickle' was surprised to see the team walking off the field after a disappointing first. But like the bear who is returning to a greening world in spring the Monarchs rubbed their eyes realized that it was now or never. In the top half of the second the Monarchs ventured into the grassy meadow and tore apart that young fawn. Feasting on its blood and recognizing that they are the kings of the forest. The Monarchs rolled to a inning limit of 7 runs and followed it up with a shutout in the second. The Monarchs were back and proudly stating, "YOU MAY TAKE AWAY OUR UNDEFEATED STREAK BUT YOU WILL NEVER HAVE OUR CHAMPIONSHIP!"

The game did become close toward the end and the Monarchs will have to learn not to let off the gas if they expect to end their season as champions next week. The Monarchs will be facing off against the winner of the 1 Vs 4 game but are expecting to face the Presidents Trophy winner Free Swingers.

The Monarchs had excellent and timely hitting by Simon Chan (1) hitting the team-lead first HR of the post-season and clutch hits by Amanda Sturies, spraying ball just beyond the reach of 3B everywhere, Leslie Hierath, dropping balls into the infield where no one could grab them. In the field there was no shortage of highlights. Travis Bouchard had an excellent inning at 2B making three consecutive outs, Erin Melanson and Alicia Kurach were instrumental in an inning ending 4-3-6 single out. Erin realizing that she was an ambiturner underhanded the ball to Alicia off first who then threw out the runner heading to second where Amanda Sturies was waiting. Brad Dingle made several big catches in the outfield, even calling off CF Bouchard once. Even Travis Dingle who was nursing a sore shoulder after dislocating it days earlier got into the action grabbing a ball from in front of home plate to throw out a runner heading to first. DJ Robinson made some big catches in the from LF and hurried the ball into the infield (I don't really recall what DJ did excellently but I guess that just means he didn't cost us the game like last time) and Chris Dew locked down the other corner just like DJ. Russell Loga was also instrumental in the game for the few inning he was available to the Monarchs. Source say he left early to go 'hang out with his kids in some field' whatever that means.

Let's All Class Up Our Mornings

T-MINUS 6 Days to the ESSC Championship Game.
Stay classy Monarchs.

Post later today