SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
WICHITA, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs rallied from down four runs in the eighth inning to stun the Hays Larks, 6-4 in 11 innings in the first round of the 89th annual NBC World Series on Friday evening at Eck Stadium.
The Monarchs scored all six of their runs in the eighth inning or later, after trailing 4-0 going into the eighth. Hutchinson scored three in the eighth, one in the ninth to force extras, and then two in the top of the 11th to complete the comeback.
Hays struck first in the second inning, scoring two runs on a ground rule double and a sacrifice fly. The Larks added two more in the bottom of the seventh inning to lead 4-0.
Jaden Gustafson got the scoring going for the Monarchs in the eighth, doubling to score Will Edmunson and Max Buettenback. Gustafson then scored on a wild pitch to pull within one, 4-3.
Down to their final out, Caleb Cotton doubled in the top of the ninth to tie the game up at four apiece, scoring Blake Bradford.
The Monarchs scored the two go-ahead runs in the 11th inning on an RBI ground rule double from Cotton, and a sacrifice fly from Drew Bugner.
Reed Scott tossed two scoreless innings of relief for Hutchinson to earn the win, while Derick Johnson earned the save, throwing a scoreless 11th inning.
Cotton finished the night with two hits, both doubles and two RBI to earn the games MVP. Buettenback finished 3-for-5 at the plate, while Gustafson went 1-for-4 with two RBI. Edmunson and Jarrett Flaggert both had two hits in the win, as well.
Hutchinson (21-17) will continue Pool Play at the NBC World Series on Sunday with the opponent and time to be determined.
Notes: The Monarchs are now 20-20 all-time in the NBC World Series, and 3-3 all-time against the Hays Larks.
Hutchinson - 000 000 031 02 - 6 10 0
Hays - 020 000 200 00 - 4 10 1
W: Scott (1-1). L: Lodes. S: Johnson (1). Time: 3:17. Attendance: 0.