SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs dropped its first game of a three-game series against the Derby Twins, 6-5 on Wednesday evening at Hobart-Detter Field.
The Twins used a run in each of the final two frames to go from trailing by one to a one-run lead.
Hutchinson (10-13) grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning after Caleb Cotton scored on a wild pitch, and then Austin Coyle singled to score Jaden Gustafson.
Derby (15-14) responded with a single run in the top of the second to cut the Monarchs lead in half. The Twins scored three in the fifth inning on four hits and two Hutchinson errors to go in front 4-2.
Paris Pridgen came up with a clutch hit for the Monarchs on an RBI double off the fence in centerfield to get within one. Drew Bugner grounded out to first to score Bugner to tie the game at four through six.
The Monarchs grabbed the 5-4 lead in the seventh with an RBI single up the middle from Max Buettenback that scored Blake Bradford. Hutchinson stranded the bases loaded and maintained the one-run lead after seven.
Derby tied the game up with an RBI single to center in the eighth from Tyler Monroe. Viggo Lopez plated the go-ahead run with a pinch hit groundout in the ninth.
The two teams go at it again on Thursday evening in game two of the three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. from Hobart-Detter Field and will be streamed on Hutch Post. The game will be sponsored by EAGLE Media.
Derby - 010 030 011 - 6 12 2
Hutchinson - 200 002 100 - 5 10 4
W: Smith (1-0). L: Scott (0-1). S: Syring (3). Time: 3:02. Attendance: 143.