HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — The Hutchinson Monarchs (2-0) continued a winning tradition on opening night, rolling to a 12-2 victory over the Performance Factory Phenoms on Sunday at Hobart-Detter Field for their seventh consecutive home opener win.
The game was originally scheduled for Saturday but was postponed because of lightning in the Hutchinson area.
The Monarchs wasted little time taking control. Jackson Schanuel put Hutchinson on the board in the first inning with a groundout that brought home two runs for a 2-0 lead.
Hutchinson added to its advantage in the second when Brady Taylor delivered an RBI single to make it 4-0. Taylor drove in another run with a groundout in the third inning as the Monarchs extended the lead to 5-0.
The game broke open in the sixth inning when Hutchinson scored six runs on three hits. Wes Baker highlighted the rally with a two-run single, while Nash Wray was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, James Dagenhart drew a run-scoring walk, Taylor added a sacrifice fly and Marcus Gradney capped the inning with an RBI single.
Monarchs starter Cooper Harris dominated on the mound, earning the win after allowing just two hits and one unearned run over five innings. Harris struck out nine and did not issue a walk.
Ethan Cox took the loss for the Phenoms, allowing five runs on three hits and five walks in 2 2/3 innings. Brayden Henry worked in relief for Hutchinson.
Taylor paced the Monarchs offense with three RBIs from the middle of the lineup. Baker collected two hits in three at-bats and stole two bases as Hutchinson swiped seven bases overall.
The Monarchs also showed patience at the plate, drawing 11 walks. Dagenhart, Wray, Schanuel and Gradney each reached twice via walk.
Kai'i Sylvester, Kaleb Nye and Gavin Short recorded hits for the Phenoms, while Isaac Lager drove in a run. Performance Factory turned one double play.
With the victory, Hutchinson improved its streak of home-opening wins to seven straight seasons.
The Monarchs return to action Monday when they host the Kingman Islanders at 7pm. Live video stream will be available on monarchslive.tv and hutchpost.com.