HUTCHINSON, Kans. — The Hutchinson Monarchs erased an early two-run deficit with a four-run third inning and held on for a 6-4 victory over the Junction City Brigade on Wednesday night at Hobart-Detter Field.
Junction City struck first with a pair of home runs. Cale Ortner gave the Brigade a 2-0 lead in the second inning with a two-run shot to center field, and Chad Pantuso followed with a solo homer to left in the third to extend the advantage to 3-1.
The Monarchs answered immediately in the bottom half of the third, sending 10 batters to the plate while taking control of the game. Carson Umphres started the rally with an RBI triple before Jackson Schanuel blasted a two-run homer to left field to put Hutchinson in front. Drew Bugner later drove home another run on a double-play groundout as the Monarchs finished the inning with a 5-3 lead.
Hutchinson added an insurance run later in the game before Junction City scored once in the late innings, but the Monarchs' bullpen closed the door.
Bradyn McClure earned the victory after allowing three runs on three hits over four innings. The right-hander struck out five and walked three. Vinny Jarrell provided relief before Daegen Vinduska recorded the save.
Keaton Matlick took the loss for Junction City after giving up six runs, five earned, on six hits over five innings. He struck out one and walked four.
The Monarchs collected nine hits in the victory. Schanuel drove in two runs with his home run, while Brice Wallar and Jaden Gustafson each finished with two hits. Hutchinson also showed patience at the plate, drawing seven walks. JJ Spafford and Gustafson each walked twice.
Ortner drove in two runs for the Brigade, while Brayden Harpole led Junction City with two hits. The Brigade drew nine walks, with Tyler Coffin, Kale Koch and Eli Kellogg each earning two free passes.
Both teams flashed solid defense, with Hutchinson turning one double play and Junction City recording three.
The Monarchs travel to Junction City on Thursday to complete the home-and-home series with the Brigade, then return home Friday for a game against the Haysville Aviators. Hutchinson hosts the Jayhawk Summer League All-Star game on Saturday at Hobart-Detter field.