HUTCHINSON, Kan. - The Hutchinson Monarchs (16-4) pounded out a team record 18 hits of the Great Bend Bat Cats pitching with Taylor Barber leading the charge with 5 RBI's going 3 for 5 on the night. Barber picked up his Monarch career 163rd hit in the 2nd inning to drive in two runs to take over the career hits crown from former Monarch Trevor Turner.
Hutchinson got a solid start from Mikel Howell who went 5 innings while giving up 4 runs on 5 hits while striking out 5 to get the win. Great Bend's Joe Richter took the loss.
The Monarchs got multiple hit games from Barber, Dylan Nedved, Drew Reetz, Clayton Chadwick and Austin Hamm to lead Hutchinson in hitting. Those five attributed to 14 of the 18 Monarch hits on the night plus 9 of the 13 runs.
Relievers Josh Fortenberry and Aaron Haase came on in the seventh and ninth innings respectively to shut the door on the Bat Cats. Fortenberry pitched 2 innings and struck out 4.
Same two teams meet tonight with an earlier that usual start at 6 pm at Hobart-Detter field in Carey Park. Monday is an off day for the Monarchs, then Tuesday they travel to Wichita State's Eck stadium to wrap up the four game series with the Bat Cats in the early 5 pm contest at Eck Stadium.