HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs kicked off their six-game homestand with authority Wednesday night, cruising to a 12-3 victory over the Wichita Black Sox at Hobart-Detter Field.
Carson Gonzales set the tone early for Hutchinson (17-5), throwing four shutout innings to earn the win. The right-hander scattered three hits, walked three, and struck out four in a solid outing that kept the Black Sox off the scoreboard through the first third of the game.
The Monarchs backed Gonzales with an explosive offensive effort, tallying 12 runs on 13 hits and taking advantage of six free passes and four hit batters. Blake Bradford led the way at the plate, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs, including a three-run homer in the third inning that broke the game open.
Hutchinson scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning without a hit, thanks to a walk, two hit batters, and a fielder’s choice. Bradford then doubled and scored in the second before crushing his home run in the third to stretch the lead to 8-0.
A.J. Mustow added a triple and a double while driving in a pair of runs. Jake Gutierrez and Jake Knox each reached base multiple times and scored twice.
The Monarchs bullpen held strong with four relievers combining to cover the final five innings. Wichita didn’t get on the board until the fifth, capitalizing on an error to score their first run. Two more came across in the eighth on a two-run single by Colton Crockett, but the Black Sox never posed a serious threat.
The win pushes Hutchinson’s record to 17-5 as they continue their homestand Saturday night by hosting the Kingman Islanders in a game that was postponed by weather from mid-June.