JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs suffered their second consecutive run-rule loss Tuesday night, falling to the Junction City Brigade 13-3 in seven innings in Junction City.
The loss marks back-to-back games in which the Monarchs have been run-ruled in seven innings, and it came in similar fashion to Monday night’s defeat, with Junction City breaking the game open early.
Hutchinson (25-7) struck first when Keegan Demmer scored on a sacrifice fly by Omare Cross in the top of the second. But the Brigade quickly turned the tide in the bottom half of the inning, plating six runs on three hits and a pair of free passes. Gannon White delivered the key hit of the inning with a two-RBI single.
The Brigade continued to pour it on in the third, scoring three more on RBI singles from Ian Luce, White, and Chad Pantuso to push the lead to 9-1.
Bradyn McClure started for Hutchinson and was charged with the loss. He allowed eight runs—only two earned—on four hits over 2.2 innings while striking out four and walking three. Defensive miscues again proved costly, as the Monarchs committed two errors behind him.
Jackson Gowan earned the win for Junction City, tossing 6.1 innings while giving up five hits and three runs (two earned), striking out four and walking just one.
Offensively, Dylan Bell led the Monarchs with two hits, including a seventh-inning double. Jarrett Herrmann added an RBI double, and Cross and Herrmann each drove in a run.
Junction City (19-11) compiled 10 hits and ran wild on the base paths with six stolen bases. White and Sawyer Tolk drove in three runs apiece. The Brigade played clean defensively with no errors and turned three double plays.
Hutchinson will try to regroup Thursday night when they travel to face the Wichita Wildcats in their final regular season road game before a rematch with the Wildcats Friday night at Hobart-Detter Field to wrap up the regular season.
First pitch Thursday is set for 7 p.m.