HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs pitching staff struck out a season-high 13 batters en route to a 7-2 win over the Kansas Cannons in the series opener on Wednesday night at Hobart-Detter Field.
Brett Black started the game on the mound and went six innings, striking out seven Cannons hitters. Noah Kelley tossed one inning of relief, and then Cole Toureau went the final two frames, striking out all six Cannons hitters he retired.
The Monarchs did their offensive damage in the third inning. Jarrett Flaggert swung at the first pitch of the inning and crushed it over the fence near the scoreboard in left-center field to put the Monarchs in front. The next two Monarchs were retired, but then the next eight reached base safely. Max Buettenback delivered with a two-run single to lead 3-0, and then Jaden Gustafson delivered with a towering solo home run over the centerfield fence. Hutchinson (14-14) scored six runs on six hits in the inning, and stranded the bases loaded.
The Kansas Cannons (20-11) scored their two runs in the top of the fourth on a two-run home run from Trey Orman.
The Monarchs added their final run of the night in the eighth inning. After Blake Bradford singled to right with one out, a pick-off attempt from the catcher went up the right field line and into the corner, allowing Bradford to go first to home.
Bradford (2-for-5), Gustafson (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and Flaggert (2-for-3, 1 RBI) all had a multi-hit game for the Monarchs.
The series switches to Augusta for game two tonight at 7 p.m. before returning to Hobart-Detter for the series finale on Friday night at 7 p.m.
NOTES: Noah Kelley became the all-time appearance leader among Monarchs pitchers in program history following a scoreless seventh inning. The appearance was his 39th in his fourth season with the Monarchs.
Kansas - 000 200 000 - 2 8 4
Hutchinson - 006 000 01x - 7 10 1
W: Black (1-0). L: Stacy. HR: Monarchs: Flaggert (3, 3rd inning off Stacy), Gustafson (1, 3rd inning off Woods); Cannons: Orman (2, 4th inning off Black). Time: 2:24. Attendance: 363.