NEWTON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs’ late-game rally came up short as the Newton Rebels held on for a 5-3 victory Thursday night at Klein-Scott Field.
Hutchinson (13-4) fell behind early and couldn't recover despite cutting the deficit to one run in the fifth. Newton capitalized on timely hitting and a few Monarch miscues.
The Rebels plated one run in the first and added two more in the second, aided by a hit batter and a pair of walks. Hutchinson fought back in the third when AJ Mustow doubled home a run and later scored on a single by Jackson Legg to make it 3-2. The Monarchs tied it in the fifth on another RBI single from Mustow.
But Newton regained the lead in the seventh without recording a hit—scoring on a throwing error following a leadoff single. They added an insurance run in the eighth when Alex Downing’s two-out single brought in Caden Ehardt.
The Monarchs threatened in the ninth, loading the bases with two outs, but Mustow grounded out to end the game.
Newton starter Kyle Lockhart was solid, striking out six in three innings, while reliever Jeffrey Neill earned the win and Jeremy Bingesser notched the hold. Colton Jones came on in the ninth to get the final out and pick up the save.
Hutchinson used four pitchers, with Cole Toureau earning the start. Daegan Vinduska took the loss.
The Monarchs will look to bounce back Friday night as they travel to Derby to face the Twins before returning home for a weekend set at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson on Saturday versus the Twins and Sunday hosting the Cannons..