GREAT BEND, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs used patience at the plate and a big second inning to erase an early deficit and defeat the Great Bend Bat Cats 15-9 on Friday night.
James Dagenhart led the offensive charge by drawing three walks and driving in a run as the Monarchs improved with a balanced attack that featured contributions throughout the lineup.
After falling behind 4-0 in the first inning, Hutchinson responded in emphatic fashion in the second. The Monarchs sent 13 batters to the plate and scored eight runs on three hits to take an 8-4 lead. Drew Bugner delivered the biggest hit of the inning with a two-run single as Hutchinson capitalized on five walks and a pair of Bat Cats errors.
Great Bend struck first in the opening inning when Decarlo Delancy and Kirby Orth each delivered RBI singles and Jaxon Bunkers drew a bases-loaded walk.
The Monarchs added insurance throughout the contest before breaking the game open in the seventh. Hutchinson scored five runs in the inning despite collecting just one hit. Caylin Grimes and Brady Taylor were both hit by pitches with the bases loaded, while Dagenhart and Jackson Schanuel each drew RBI walks. Another run scored later in the frame to push the Monarchs' lead to double digits.
Hutchinson's disciplined approach produced 13 walks. Schanuel reached base four times via walks, while Dagenhart added three free passes.
The bottom of the lineup played a key role in the victory. JJ Spafford, Grimes and Dalton Sabathe combined for four of the Monarchs' eight hits, scored six runs and drove in three.
Spafford and Michael Barham paced Hutchinson with two hits apiece.
Dayton Hicks earned the win on the mound for the Monarchs. The right-hander allowed four runs, three earned, on five hits over 4 1/3 innings. Hicks struck out six and walked three.
Kale Day provided a strong relief appearance, tossing a scoreless inning while striking out three and allowing no hits.
Great Bend starter Mason Murphy took the loss after surrendering eight runs on three hits and five walks over two innings.
Andrugh Yee drove in three runs to lead the Bat Cats offense and finished 2 for 5. Orth also collected two hits and stole three bases as Great Bend swiped five bags overall. The Bat Cats showed patience as well, drawing nine walks, with Chase Chapman and Bunkers each earning three.
The Monarchs and Bat Cats conclude their two-game series Saturday when Great Bend visits Hobart-Detter Field in Carey Park. Admission is free with a good will offering to help support the Cancer Council of Reno County on Cancer awareness night.
Can't make it to the game? Watch it live on hutchpost.com or monarchslive.tv.