HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Somehow, someway, the Hutchinson Monarchs found a way to win on EAGLE Night Tuesday. The Monarchs scored 11 runs in the bottom of the eighth to erase a six-run deficit to defeat the visiting Aviators.
The win didn't come without controversy. Hutch cut the lead to four when Blake Bradford was called out for interference on the base paths.
The hit barrage kept coming and forced a rare Haysville throwing error. The Monarchs took advantage of the error to send 15 batters to the plate in the bottom of the eighth.
Jaden Gustafson continued to come up with big hits with three RBI's on 2-for-4 hitting. Cooper Wesslund also knocked in three runs, going 2-for-5.
Blake Bradford homered to give the Monarchs the lead 2-1 in the fourth inning before the Aviators regained the lead, scoring three runs in the top of the fifth.
Camden Cornelius came on in relief to get the win. Reed Scott came on to close out the ninth after the first two batters got on with walks . Scott forced an infield-fly-rule out and then the Monarch's Sacket caught a rocket and doubled up the runner that was at second base for the final out with the double-play.
The evening started with an exhibition of 1860's baseball by the Hutchinson Baseball Club going five fun innings, showing the crowd of 70-plus that braved the heat how the game was played a couple centuries back.
Tuesday was also EAGLE Radio Night for Country 102.9, My 93-1 and KWBW. General Manager Matt Althouse threw out the first pitch. EAGLE Radio is the parent company of Hutch Post.
Hutch (12-5) will match up with the Aviators (14-5) Wednesday night with first pitch set for 7.