HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs battled back twice but came up short in extra innings Saturday night, falling 8-7 to the Great Bend Bat Cats at Hobart-Detter Field.
Great Bend scored the go-ahead run in the 10th inning and held off the Monarchs to even the season series between the two Jayhawk Collegiate League rivals.
The Bat Cats struck first in the second inning when TJ Shaw Jr. delivered a single after a six-pitch at-bat to score the game's opening run. Hutchinson answered in the bottom half of the inning, tying the contest at 1-1 on a passed ball.
The Monarchs took control in the third. Brice Wallar lined a single that drove in two runs to break the tie before Wes Baker followed with an RBI single, extending Hutchinson's advantage to 4-1.
Great Bend erased the deficit in the sixth inning behind the bat of Andrugh Yee, whose home run to center field helped pull the Bat Cats even at 4-4.
The visitors grabbed a 5-4 lead in the seventh when George McCarroll singled home a run, but Hutchinson responded immediately in the bottom of the inning. Wallar drove in the tying run with a groundout, sending the game into the late innings deadlocked at 5-5.
The teams traded runs before Great Bend pushed across the decisive run in the 10th and held on for the 8-7 victory.
Wallar paced the Monarchs offensively, finishing 2-for-5 with two RBIs and three stolen bases. Hutchinson swiped five bases as a team and turned one double play defensively.
Gabe Winans gave the Monarchs a quality start, allowing four runs, three earned, on six hits over six innings while striking out six without issuing a walk. Wallar was charged with the loss after working the final two innings, allowing one unearned run while striking out four.
Great Bend starter Zachary Alarid surrendered four runs, two earned, on five hits over six innings. Carter Graham earned the victory in relief, allowing one unearned run on one hit across three innings.
The Bat Cats collected 10 hits, led by Yee, who went 3-for-5 with two RBIs. McCarroll added two hits and an RBI.
The Monarchs will look to bounce back Sunday when they host the Newton Rebels at Hobart-Detter Field. Gate admission is free for all Dads. Plan on playing a little catch with you kids after the game to celebrate Father's Day.