Glen Grunwald
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — AJ Mustow drove in three runs and Tyson Vassart launched a two-run homer as the Hutchinson Monarchs rolled past the Newton Rebels 13-2 on Saturday night at Hobart-Detter Field.
The Monarchs (2-0) tallied 13 runs on 11 hits, taking control early and never letting up in their season opener.
Mustow led the offensive charge, going 2 for 3 with a triple and three RBIs. He opened his night with an RBI triple to center field in the first inning that gave Hutchinson a 2-1 lead. Later, he scored on a wild pitch in a five-run second inning.
Vassart capped that frame with a towering home run to right, plating two and extending the Monarchs’ lead to 5-1.
The scoring started when Bryce Bradford’s sacrifice fly allowed Jay Spafford to tag up and score, tying the game at 1 in the bottom of the first. From there, the Monarchs piled on with disciplined at-bats and timely hitting.
Newton (0-2) managed just two runs and couldn’t recover after falling behind early.
Monarch starting pitcher Carson Harrell (1-0) picked up the win for Hutchinson, pitching 2 1/3 innings while allowing two runs. He struck out three but walked four in the early-season outing. Brayden Rose (0-1) took the loss for Newton giving up 8 runs on 5 Monarch hits.
Next action for the Monarchs is Monday, June 2nd at 7pm vs the Derby Twins at Hobart-Detter Field.