Timely hits and clutch pitching from ace hurler Jonathan Hawkins helped the Monett Cubs defeat the Bolivar Liberators 4-3 Monday afternoon in Bolivar.
The Cubs used their bats to build what appeared to be an unsurmountable 4-2 lead going into the bottom half of the seventh and final innng of play but a late inning uprising by the Liberators took the game's decision down the the final out.
With one down Bolivar's Gavin Morris reached base on an infield error to give new life to the Liberators. Jackson Abdon followed Morris with a single to right center and then watched on as teammate J.D. Murder drew a walk to load the bases.
Monett's Brett Gollhofer then drilled a sacrifice fly deep into the outfield driving in Morris, to bring the Liberators within one of the Cubs as the score now read 4-3.
But Monett's confidence in Hawkins went unscathed as Cub coach Michael Calhoun made no motion to bring in help from the bull pen. Calhoun's belief in his hurler paid off as Hawkins sat down the next Liberator batter to preserve the 4-3 win.
"This was Jonathan's game," Calhoun said. "His pitch count was good and he was still throwing well. We decided that we were going to win or lose the game with him on the mound."
The victory made if five wins in a rown for the Cubs this year vesus no losses. The Liberators, 3-2, found themselves being saddled for their first loss of the year.
With the win Hawkins picked up his second victory of the season. The hard throwing junior gave up just 3 runs, two earned, on eight hits and two walks. He struck out five.
Taking the loss was the Liberator's Connor Sechler who fell to 1-1 on the season. Sechler gave up four runs, two earned, on seven hits and two walks. He had eight strike outs.
Although gaining a win, the Cubs were severely tested by the Liberators.
"I'm really proud of the effort we got from out kids today, in every aspect of the game," Calhoun said. "They battled hard for all seven innings against one of the better teams in the state. They especially battled at the plate against Sechler who is one of the state's premier pitchers." Sechler has committed to play for Missouri State.
The Cubs jumped out in front of the Liberators 2-0 and then watched Bolivar chip away at their lead getting one back in the second and another in the third to tie the game at 2-2. But in the top of the fifth Monett jumped on the Bolivar ace for two runs to regain the lead at 4-2.
After back to back singles by Zach Burgherr and Cameron Witt, Brett Gollhofer drove a ball to right field for a hit that would wind up scoring Burgherr. John Saunders followed with a sacrifice fly to drive in the second Cub run of the inning to put Monett out in front 4-2, a lead they wouldn't give up.
"We just didn't play real well today, especially in the early innings," Bolivar head coach Brad Roweton said. "I'm very proud of these kids though, they didn't quit and came within a hit or two of picking up the win. You just can't give a good team like Monett any breaks though and expect to win. We'll bounce back."
Monett 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 4
Bolivar 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3
Monett: Z. Burgherr 2-4, Cameron Witt 2-4, Brett Gollhofer 2-2.
Bolivar: C. Sechler 2-3, Jacob Gaither 2-3, Aaron Samek 1-3, J.D. Murder 1-3, Camden Burns 1-3, G. Morris 1-3.
