Monnett brothers make it happen for North Putnam in Monrovia win

ROACHDALE — It was a tale of two brothers on Friday night under the lights at North Putnam.

Big brother Brayden Monnett pitched a complete game, striking out 14 Monrovia Bulldogs. Younger brother Jayce Monnett had an RBI walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh to give the Cougars a 2-1 non-conference victory.

Brayden was on his game from the start, striking out the side in the first. Monrovia starter Nolan Hendricks was equal to the task, setting down the Cougars in order in the bottom half. Brayden continued his dominance on the mound, allowing just two hits and striking out seven in his first four innings.

“What a great performance by Brayden. When he gets on a roll and the other guys see how competitive he is, just picks the team up. We did a lot better job tonight of making contact and letting any mistakes compound,” said Cougar coach Chris Geeser.

North finally broke through in the fourth inning. A leadoff single from Brogan Woodall started things off. Woodall advanced to second on an errant throw on a pick off move to set the table. With one out, Jaylen Windmiller then roped one into the gap in right center for an RBI double to bring home the first run of the game.

Hendricks was able to keep North at bay as it became an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel. The Bulldogs would scratch out a run in the top of the sixth. Dustin Kostrzewski reached on an error and stole second. Monnett retired the next two batters, but Julian Zhou drove in the tying run.

In the seventh, after striking out the leadoff batter, Brayden hit the nine hole hitter, who then advanced to third on two wild pitches. The Cougar starter was able to force a fly out and his 14th strikeout to end the threat, setting up the drama for the bottom half.

Windmiller reached on an error and Alec McKenzie drew a walk. Braxton Woodall then singled to load the bases with no one out. Hendricks was able to get a force out at home, which brought up Jayce Monnett. Jayce, in his first varsity start, lined a single to left field for the walk-off winner.

When asked about the walk off winner for Jayce, coach Geeser said, “What a night, big brother gets a complete game win and little brother gets the winning RBI.”

Windmiller was the only Cougar with two hits, as they only tallied five total. Jayden finished giving up just four hits, striking out 14 and zero walks. The is little rest for North as it plays Covington in a double header Saturday and the County tournament next weekend.

Monrovia 000 001 0 — 1 4 2

North Putnam 000 100 1 — 2 5 3

Batting Leaders

Hits - (NP) Windmiller 2-3, Bro. Woodall 1-3, Bra. Woodall 1-3, J. Monnett 1-3; (M) Simmons 1-3, Zhou 1-3, Hornberger 1-3, Compton 1-4

RBI - (NP) Windmiller, J. Monnett; (M) Zhou

2B - (NP) Windmiller

Pitching

North Putnam