Hutchpost
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs used a string of clutch hits and a strong start from Ethan Giesbrecht to defeat the Great Bend Bat Cats 9-5 Saturday night at Hobart-Detter Field in front of 570 fans — the eighth-largest crowd in Monarchs history.
On a picturesque evening for baseball, Hutchinson jumped out early and never trailed, fueled by a three-run third inning and a two-run homer by Jackson Legg in the fifth. The Monarchs improved their record to 9-1 with a balanced offensive effort and timely execution, particularly in the middle innings.
Giesbrecht earned the win for Hutchinson, tossing six innings and allowing just two runs on four hits. The right-hander struck out two and walked one.
Great Bend starter Carson Bougher was tagged with the loss after surrendering five runs on eight hits over 4.2 innings of work.
Legg led the Monarchs offensively, finishing with a home run, single, and three RBIs. In the third, Legg's RBI single scored J Herrmann, followed by a two-run double from AJ Mustow that pushed the lead to 3-0. Legg’s two-run blast in the fifth extended the lead to 5-2.
The Bat Cats trimmed the deficit to 6-3 in the seventh after an RBI single by Peanut Brazzle, but the Monarchs answered with a three-run eighth, capitalizing on a hit-by-pitch, a walk, a wild pitch, and a fielder’s choice.
Five different Monarchs were hit-by-pitches in the game. Two Bat Cats were also hit-by-pitches.
Elias Leon’s RBI single in the ninth brought Great Bend within four, but the Monarchs closed it out without further damage when Aiden Sowers came in to finish off the ninth and shut the Bat Cats down.
The game also served as Cancer Awareness Night, adding a special significance to one of the season's best atmospheres.
Hutchinson will return to action at Panther Field in Derby to take on the Twins in a make up game that postponed from earlier in June due to wet field conditions in Derby. Hutch will then travel to Kingman on Monday night. The next home game for the Monarchs will be Tuesday, June 17th versus the Islanders at 7pm.