SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
WICHITA, Kan. — Cooper Harris delivered a three-run go-ahead home run in the eighth inning to complete a come from behind win for the Hutchinson Monarchs over the GPS Legends (Tex.), 12-11 in the final game of pool play on Tuesday afternoon at Eck Stadium.
The Monarchs are now 17-5 since the All-Star break at the beginning of July, including six of its last seven.
The Monarchs finished pool play at the 89th annual NBC World Series with a perfect 3-0 record with wins over the Hays Larks, Seattle Blackfins and the Legends. Hutchinson will have a first round bye in bracket play, and will play in the quarterfinals on Thursday, with opponent and time to be determined.
Hutchinson (23-17) fell behind 3-0 after half an inning, but the Monarchs quickly responded with three of their own. Will Edmunson doubled to left to score Blake Bradford, and then Jaden Gustafson doubled to center, scoring Edmunson and Max Buettenback.
The Legends scored three in the top of the second inning, only to see the Monarchs plate six in the bottom half. The Monarchs did so on four hits and two errors in the inning.
GPS scored four over the next five innings to lead 10-9 after seven innings.
After Edmunson reached on a fielders choice, Jackson Young walked to put two runners on with one out in the inning. Harris came to the plate with two down and crushed the go-ahead home run over the bleachers in left field to put the Monarchs back in front.
The Legends scored one in the top of the ninth, but that would be the only damage done.
Hutchinson finished with nine hits in the game, led by Harris' 2-for-5 day at the plate with four RBI, while Gustafson finished 1-for-4 with two RBI.
The Monarchs threw five pitchers in the game, starting with Brett Black. Alec Stanfield, Carson Cornelius, Brady Bell and Reed Scott all saw action on the hill, as well. Bell earned the win, while Scott was credited with the save.
Notes: The Monarchs are now 22-20 all-time in the NBC World Series, and 1-0 against the Legends. The (3) wins are the most by the Monarchs in the NBC World Series since the 2020 team went 4-2. This is also the first time in program history the Monarchs have started the NBC World Series with a 3-0 record.
The bracket play will be finalized after all games today have been finished. You can find up-to-date information regarding the NBC World Series here.