JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The Junction City Brigade rode a relentless offensive attack and a four-run first inning to a 14-10 victory over the Hutchinson Monarchs on Friday night at Rathert Stadium.
The Brigade struck early, posting six runs in the first two innings to take command. Kyler Horsman led the charge, driving in four runs, including a towering three-run homer to center in the fifth that gave Junction City a 12-10 lead.
“We came out swinging, and that early momentum really set the tone,” Horsman said. “Hutchinson pushed back hard, but we answered every time.”
The Monarchs (11-3) responded with a six-run fourth inning, capped by a bases-clearing double from Keegan Demmer and a two-run single by Omare Cross to jump ahead 9-6. They added another run in the fifth on a fielder’s choice to lead 10-8, but couldn’t hold the advantage.
In the bottom half of the fifth, Horsman launched a game-changing three-run homer that shifted the momentum back to the Brigade (insert record if known). Ian Luce added a solo shot in the seventh to pad the lead, and Sawyer Tolk’s RBI double in the eighth sealed the final score at 14-10.
Hutchinson’s biggest highlight came in the second inning when Blake Bradford crushed a three-run homer to center to bring the Monarchs within one. Bradford finished with three RBIs.
The teams combined for 24 runs and 26 hits in a slugfest marked by lead changes and defensive miscues, including a costly error by Monarchs outfielder Omare Cross in the second that allowed two runs to score.
Junction City will look to carry the momentum into their next matchup, while Hutchinson (11-3) aims to tighten its defense and regroup after a hard-fought loss. Hutchinson travels to Rose Hill Saturday night to take on the Wichita Wildcats.