North Kansas City improved their record to 8-3 on Monday night after a back and forth affair with the Chrisman Bears at Macken Park. NKC jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first thanks to a blast from Anian Nicolas scoring three on the big fly. But Chrisman battled back scoring four in the second and two in the third to take a 6-5 lead. Defense struggled at times behind starting pitcher Dayton Horn who allowed seven runs on 11 hits, but struck out six. In the fifth, Layne Campbell came in from the bullpen to shut the door on Chrisman for good. Not allowing a hit through two and two-thirds innings, striking out two and getting the win.

A potential big rally by Chrisman was thwarted in the top of the fifth thanks to a diving catch by left fielder Nick Ward parallel to the ground for the third out of the inning. That catch saved Chrisman from scoring two and left the Hornets in a great position to strike late.

The game was tied at 7 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning when Hornet bats at the bottom of the lineup stayed hot and scored two. Layne Campbell led off with a double, followed by a Kevin Pelico single. Wes McFarland would drive them both in on a 2-RBI single - one of two hits the junior had in the game.

The Hornets will head out to Fort Osage on Wednesday to take on the Indians, then head back home for a huge rivalry and conference game with Oak Park at Macken on Friday.
Catch a replay of the game below: