AUGUSTA, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs continued their strong summer campaign Tuesday night with an 11-2 road victory over the Kansas Cannons, improving their season record to 16-5.
Pryce Bender led the way on the mound for Hutchinson, earning the win with a five-inning performance in which he allowed just one run on four hits. The right-hander struck out four and walked only one in a composed outing.
Blake Seefeldt took the loss for the Cannons, surrendering six runs — five earned — over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six but allowed six hits, walked two, and hit three batters.
The Monarchs broke open a tight 1-1 contest in the top of the third. With two runners on and one out, Jake Gutierrez hit a grounder that was misplayed by shortstop Zeb Henry, allowing two runs to score and giving Hutchinson a 2-1 lead.
Third baseman Joey Senstock sparked more offense in the fourth with a two-out RBI triple, and then added the decisive blow in the sixth with a three-run homer to left that pushed the Monarchs’ advantage to 6-1.
Hutchinson added five more runs over the final three innings, aided by timely hitting and four walks from Cannons relievers. Tyson Vassart singled home a run in the ninth, and Gutierrez scored on a wild pitch earlier in the frame to cap the Monarchs' scoring.
Bender got help from relievers Bryant Siemens and Whit Rhodes, who combined to finish the final four innings. Siemens struck out four in two innings of one-run ball, and Rhodes closed out the final two frames, working around a bases-loaded jam in the ninth to preserve the win.
The Cannons (12-10-1) struggled to convert opportunities, stranding multiple runners in the late innings and hitting into two double plays.
Hutchinson returns to action tonight versus the Wichita Black Sox. On Saturday night, they take on the Kingman Islanders in a game postponed from mid-June due to weather at Hobart-Detter Field in Carey Park. First pitch will be at 7pm.