WICHITA, Kan. — Ethan Giesbrecht struck out 11 over six strong innings and the Hutchinson Monarchs jumped out to an early lead in route to a 7-4 victory over the Wichita Wildcats Saturday night in Rose Hill.
Giesbrecht, who scattered five hits and allowed three runs while walking two, notched the win for Hutchinson (12-3), setting the tone early by striking out the side in the first inning — despite giving up a solo home run to Jackson Ellison.
The Monarchs grabbed control in the top of the first, capitalizing on early command issues from Wildcats starter Jace Meyer. After a single and two hit batters loaded the bases, Tyler Vassart roped a two-run double to right, and Hutchinson tacked on two more in the second on back-to-back bases-loaded walks.
The Wildcats cut the lead to 4-2 on a solo homer from Josiah Sems in the second and drew closer on a Gunner Lewis homer in the sixth. But Hutchinson answered in the top of the seventh, when Vassart launched a solo home run to center — his third RBI of the night — to push the lead to 6-3.
The Monarchs added an insurance run in the ninth when Vassart scored on a misplayed pop fly by the Wildcats’ infield.
Wichita threatened in the bottom of the ninth, plating a run on an RBI single from Austin Selenke, but Russell Copous slammed the door with back-to-back strikeouts and a dropped third strike to end the game.
Copous earned the save, working the final frame after Daegan Vinduska tossed two solid innings in relief of Giesbrecht.
Meyer took the loss for the Wildcats, allowing four runs on three hits and five walks over just 1.2 innings.
Vassart led Hutchinson offensively, going 2-for-4 with a double, homer, walk, and three RBIs.
The Monarchs return home Monday night for their next contest versus the Wildcats at Hobart-Detter Field. First pitch is at 7pm and can be viewed on Hutchpost.com and monarchslive.tv.