73 LIBERTY : GD1: STINGERS SPOIL MONARCHS' OPENING DAY

                                  

                                          SO CAL ACE STINGS MONARCHS 



The Monarchs welcomed a sell out crowd to opening day at their brand new stadium on a perfect day for baseball to begin the 73 Liberty season. 

Ed Pernal and the Stingers sent HOFer Jim Palmer to the mound  while Rick Reuschel threw the first pitch ever thrown at Royals Stadium.  The Stingers drew first blood when Craig Nettles drove in Dusty Baker on a single to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the 5th.  The Monarchs' Fred Stanley homered in the bottom of the 6th to tie the score at 1-1. 

Both starters were impressive in their debuts.  Reuschel went 8 innings and gave up 1 run while scattering 4 hits and 1 walk before hitting the showers. Big Daddy Reuschel had 8 Ks.   The KCM bullpen held the tie until the 12th when Sparky Lyle walked Carl Taylor with the bases loaded to make it 2-1, Don Hahn knocked in another run on a SF then Craig Nettles launched a 3 run shot to make it 6-1. 

Jim Palmer flashed his HOF credentials by going the distance. Over 11 innings, Palmer allowed only 1 run while scattering 5 hits.  Palmer had 6 Ks and only 1 BB.
The Stinger ace would have had a shutout if Fred Stanley was not aided by the dice gods. 

The Monarchs and So Cal face off in game 2 with date TBD.  Jon Matlack will face Vida Blue at Royals Stadium.