By Brad Hallier
Revenge wasn’t served Thursday at Eck Stadium, as the Hutchinson Monarchs defeated the Santa Barabara Foresters for a second straight year at the NBC World Series.
The Monarchs completed an unexpected run to the championship last season with a shock victory over the 10-time NBC champion Foresters. But the Monarchs showed they weren’t a one-hit wonder by beating Santa Barbara again, 3-2 in the quarterfinals.
The Monarchs used three pitchers who helped clamp down on the Foresters. Bradyn McClure pitched seven innings and was the winning pitcher, giving up a run on five hits. Reece Usselman pitched a perfect eight inning, and Ian Lanik pitched the ninth inning, wriggling out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam by allowing just one unearned run.
The Monarchs trailed 1-0 headed to the bottom of the third inning when they took the lead for good. With one out Cooper Wesslund walked, and Brett Smajstrla followed with a single. Camden Johnson singled home Wesslund, and Jaden Gustafson hustled to avoid an inning-ending double play, which allowed Smajstrla to score and give the Monarchs a 2-1 lead.
The lead increased to 3-1 in the eighth inning as Johnson scored when Sam Wiese reached on an error.
The ninth inning got dicey for the Monarchs, as the Foresters loaded the bases with two hits and an error. With one out, Lanik struck out Jackson Freeman.
A run scored when on a wild pitch, but Lanik struck out Jonny Rodriguez to end the game.
The Monarchs will play in Friday’s semifinals against Jayhawk Collegiate League rival Kansas Cannons.
