AUGUSTA, Kan. (AP) — Hutchinson used patience at the plate and took advantage of Kansas Cannons miscues to roll to an 11-1 run-rule victory in seven innings Monday night in Jayhawk Collegiate League action.
The Monarchs scored in four different innings and broke the game open with a five-run fourth before adding three more runs in the seventh to end the contest early.
Hutchinson struck first in the second inning when Carter Hepner lined an RBI single to center, scoring Michael Barham for a 1-0 lead.
The Monarchs extended the advantage in the third. Wes Baker scored on a wild pitch before Barham delivered an RBI double to right field, plating Baker to make it 3-0.
Kansas Cannons answered with their lone run in the bottom of the third when Blake Cope singled to center, driving in Wyatt Reeder to trim the deficit to 3-1.
The Monarchs quickly put the game out of reach in the fourth inning. Baker was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a run, making it 4-1. Hutchinson added two more runs when Brice Wallar reached on a fielding error by the Cannons' shortstop, allowing James Dagenhart and Jackson Schanuel to score. Another defensive miscue allowed Baker to score before Wallar later crossed the plate on a wild pitch, stretching the lead to 8-1.
Hutchinson added the finishing touches in the seventh. Hepner lined a two-run single to right, scoring Barham and Wallar, before another wild pitch brought home Caylin Grimes for the game's final run.
The Monarchs capitalized on Kansas Cannons mistakes throughout the night, scoring multiple runs on wild pitches and defensive errors while consistently putting pressure on the bases.
Barham sparked the offense with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Hepner drove in three runs with a pair of RBI singles, while Wallar scored twice and drove in two. Baker reached base multiple times and scored twice as Hutchinson's offense continued its balanced production.
Kansas Cannons managed just one run after Cope's RBI single in the third as Hutchinson's pitching staff kept the home team in check the rest of the way.
With the victory, the Monarchs improved their position in the Jayhawk Collegiate League standings while handing the Cannons a decisive seven-inning defeat.
Same two teams wrap up the series tonight in Hutchinson at Hobart-Detter Field at 7pm. Can't make it to the game? Catch all the action on Hutchpost.com or monarchslive.tv.