HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs sent 18 batters to the plate and scored 14 runs in the second inning Wednesday night, breaking open a close game and cruising to a 16-1 victory over the Wichita Blacksox.
After Wichita grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on JB Hall's sacrifice fly, the Monarchs answered in the bottom half when Brice Wallar lined an RBI single down the left-field line to tie the game.
The contest turned decisively in the second inning as Hutchinson capitalized on timely hitting, walks and a Wichita error. Caylin Grimes highlighted the rally with a two-run triple, while Michael Barham and Wallar each delivered two-run doubles. Carter Hepner and Nash Wray added RBI singles, and the Monarchs also scored on a bases-loaded walk, a fielder's choice and a defensive miscue during the inning.
By the time the frame ended, Hutchinson held a commanding 15-1 advantage.
The Monarchs added their final run in the fourth when Jackson Schanuel launched a solo home run to left field.
Hutchinson finished with 10 hits and showed patience at the plate, drawing eight walks. Wallar drove in a team-high four runs while going 2 for 4. Grimes, batting ninth, paced the offense with three hits in four at-bats. Schanuel, Jackson Harding and Brady Taylor each drew two walks.
Kevyn Velazco earned the victory after allowing one run on two hits over two innings. He walked one and did not record a strikeout. Hutchinson's bullpen combined to shut out Wichita over the final seven innings, with Daegan Vinduska, Carter Harrington, Vinny Jarrell and Kale Day each tossing scoreless relief appearances.
Caleb Hicks took the loss for Wichita, allowing seven runs, six earned, on two hits in one inning. He struck out one and walked five.
Hall accounted for Wichita's lone RBI, while Wesley Philips and B. Springer collected the Blacksox's only hits.
Mother Nature decided to have a say in the bottom of the sixth inning as lightning moved in from the North and the game was called a complete game with the final Hutchinson 16, BlackSox 1.
The Monarchs will return to action Saturday when they host Brigade.