Kansas City Monarchs’ all-star reliever credits success to time at Central Missouri
Grant Gavin had little room for error.
The Kansas City Monarchs relief pitcher and Parkville native entered Saturday night’s game with the tying run on base in the sixth inning of a crucial road game in Texas against the Cleburne Railroaders.
So Gavin went into his routine.
“Right before I get on the mound,” he explained, “I’ll look at the top of the third base dugout, take a deep breath, close my eyes, think about what pitch I want to throw.”
It’s a technique Gavin learned in his time at the University of Central Missouri, where he says he “became a lot better version of myself.”
The right-hander credits this to UCM head coach Kyle Crookes and assistant coach Damian Stambersky, who’s now the head coach at Missouri Western.
“That’s where it all started for me, learning how to take it one pitch at a time,” Gavin said. “We were really big on the mental game at Central Missouri.”
Gavin struck out Cleburne’s Elmer Reyes to end the sixth, then threw a 1-2-3 seventh in an eventual 3-2 Monarchs victory.
It was Gavin’s first appearance since he pitched in the American Association All-Star Game on Tuesday. He was a late addition to the West Division roster, joining five of his teammates.
AN ELECTRIFYING THROW
Monarchs outfielder Jacob Robson delivered one of the most exciting plays of the season Saturday, throwing out the would-be tying run at the plate as part of a 9-2 double play in the ninth inning.
“The Maple Hammer” helped the Monarchs to their lone series win in three games at Cleburne. All three were decided by one run.
JACOBSAK’S MONARCHS DEBUT
The Monarchs welcomed a new arm to their roster over the weekend. Right-handed pitcher Sam Jacobsak signed with the club Friday and made his team debut Sunday night.
A former Philadelphia Phillies prospect, Jacobsak is in his third season of pro baseball out of Northeastern University. He most recently took the mound with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws in the High-A South Atlantic League earlier this year.
The 25-year-old allowed two runs in 1 2/3 innings Sunday. That included the game-winning run in the ninth, which scored after Jacobsak had finished his appearance.
HOME COOKING?
The Monarchs remain in first place in the American Association West, leading by five games.
They’re back in Kansas City this week for a three-game homestand against the Kane County Cougars. Tuesday’s game is at 11 a.m., Wednesday’s is at 7 p.m. and Thursday’s is at 1 p.m.