HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Behind dominant relief pitching and just enough offense, the Hutchinson Monarchs edged the Junction City Brigade 2-1 in a tightly contested game Wednesday night at Hobart-Detter Field.
Lachlan Rosser started for the Monarchs but had trouble with control from the very start. He walked four, struck-out 2 giving up 1 run and 1 hit over the 1.1 innings pitched. He was able to work his way out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the first with nobody out.
Cole Toureau was stellar in long relief for the Monarchs, entering in the second inning and tossing 5.2 brilliant frames. The right-hander gave up just one hit, walked three, and struck out eight to earn the win.
Aiden Sowers locked down the final six outs for the save, allowing only one hit and one walk while fanning two — including the final out of the game with the potential tying run on second base.
The Brigade struck first in the second inning when Ian Luce scored from third on a costly error by Monarchs third baseman Joey Senstock. That would be Junction City’s only run of the night.
Hutchinson answered in the fourth. Jake Knox singled and came around to score on a triple by Dylan Bell, tying the game at 1-1. The Monarchs took the lead for good in the sixth when Drew Bugner crossed the plate on an error by Brigade first baseman Brayden Harpole following a grounder by Blake Bradford.
Junction City starter Max Lialios was tough in the loss, allowing just four hits and two runs — only one earned — across eight innings. He struck out three and walked one.
The game was a brisk affair, lasting just 2 hours and 1 minute, as both pitching staffs were sharp throughout the night.
With the win, the Monarchs, now 11-2 continue to hold their ground in the league standings while showcasing the depth of their bullpen.
Hutchinson is off today, but will travel to Junction City on Friday before a road game in Wichita on Saturday versus the Wichita Wildcats College team. The next home game is Monday, June 23rd at Hobart-Detter versus the Wildcats again.