By Brad Hallier
The Hutchinson Monarchs scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning Saturday at Hobart-Detter Field, overturning a one-run deficit, and the Monarchs wrapped up the regular season with a 5-3 win over the Kingman Islanders.
The Monarchs took a 2-1 lead into the eighth inning before Kingman scored twice and took a 3-2 lead. But the Monarchs didn’t waste time in reclaiming the lead.
Sam Wiese led off with a single, and Jovan Suarez followed with a broken-bat infield single. Wiese took third on an error and scored on Jaden Gustafson’s single. After a sacrifice bunt, Suarez scored on a wild pitch, giving the Monarchs a 4-3 lead. Brett Smajstrla followed with an RBI single.
Eight Monarchs combined for their 10 hits, with Will Edmunson and Smajstrla having two each.
Carson Cornelius was credited with the win on the mound for the Monarchs, and Reed Scott pitched a perfect ninth inning for the save.
The Monarchs will next play at 6 p.m. Thursday at the NBC World Series at Wichita State’s Eck Stadium.
