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Hepworth leads Griffons past Monarchs
By Jason Peake
Daily Mail Sports Editor
NEVADA -- Rick Hepworth's big night propelled the Nevada Griffons past the Kansas City Monarchs 5-1 on Thursday night in a non-league contest at Lyons Stadium.
A 6-foot-7 first baseman, Hepworth hit two home runs and drove in three runs in the game, providing enough offense for the hosts all by himself.
Five pitchers combined on a three-hitter for the Griffons, as the Monarchs never really threatened in the contest. The Monarchs had just five baserunners in the game, with the three hits and two walks.
With the win, the Griffons improve to 19-13 overall this season.
The Griffons wasted little time in getting on the board in this one.
With one out in the first, Matt Burns singled and then Hepworth connected on a 3-2 count, blasting a two-run homer over the fence in left-center for a 2-0 lead.
The Griffons had the bases loaded with only one out in the second, but the runners were stranded.
One inning later, Nevada extended its lead. MJ Sartin doubled, and after an out, John Ascenzia hit an RBI single to right for a 3-0 lead. The Griffons later stranded the bases loaded to end the inning.
Hepworth hit his second home run of the night in the fourth.
The Texas native's blast stayed just fair near the right field foul pole. The shot made it 4-0.
The Monarchs got on the board in the sixth, scoring once on two hits, a sac bunt and an RBI groundout from Dustin Brown.
But AJ Krist hit an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth, scoring Patrick Kregeloh for a 5-1 Nevada lead.
Neither team scored in the later innings, but the Griffons earned the win.
The game could have been a blowout, as the Griffons left 15 runners on base in the contest.
Burns and Hepworth had three hits apiece in the game, while Kregeloh, Sartin and Krist had two apiece.
The Griffons went with a pitcher by committee format for the game. Tommy Bush started on the mound, allowing no hits.
Bush went three innings and struck out the last five batters he faced, earning the win in the process. Martin Martinez threw the fourth and fifth, while Nick Ford, Ron Johnson, and Kregeloh also earned time on the mound. None of the five allowed much of anything.
Griffons notes
Center fielder Stu Jeck accounted for all three outs in the fifth, as the Monarchs hit three-straight fly balls to the Pittsburg, Kan. native.
Griffons General Manager Jeff Post said approximately $4,500 was raised on Tuesday for the Tyler Jeck Memorial Fund.
The Monarchs brought just 10 players to the game.
The start time was pushed back to 7:30 p.m. due to the heat. Post said Sunday night's game might be pushed back, too, but nothing is definite yet.
Upcoming schedule
The Griffons are at St. Joseph tonight at 7 p.m. The next home game is Sunday night against Joplin at 7. It will be Community Service Night. There will also be a memorabilia auction.
Thursday's result
Griffons 5, Monarchs 1
KC 000 001 000 -- 1 3 1
NE 201 101 00x -- 5 15 1
WP: Bush. LP: Krysa.
Griffons leaders
HR: Hepworth 2.
2B: Sartin. 3B: Burns. RBI: Hepworth 3, Sartin, Ascenzia. LOB: 15.
Griffons pitching
Bush -- 3IP, 0H, 0BB, 5K.
Martinez -- 2IP, 0H, 0BB, 0K.
Ford -- 2IP, 3H, 1ER, 2BB, 0K.
Johnson -- 1IP, 0H, 1K.
Kregeloh --1IP, 0H, 3K.