By Brad Hallier
The Hutchinson Monarchs opened their NBC World Series title defense Thursday at Hobart-Detter Field, and behind a four-run first inning, beat the Top Prospects Academy-Texas 5-2 at Wichita State’s Eck Stadium.
It was the first game of the 90th edition of the NBC World Series. Among the pregame celebrations included a first pitch from one of Satchel Paige’s grandsons, Michael O’Neal. Paige played for the Bismarck Churchills from North Dakota at the inaugural tournament in 1935 and won four games.
The Monarchs kept the excitement going immediately, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Jarret Flaggert beat out an infield single, scoring Jaden Gustafson for the first run. Will Edmundson then scored after Blake Bradford reached on an error, making it 2-0. Camden Johnson polished off the inning with a two-run single.
That was more than enough run support for starting pitcher Ian Regal, who pitched into the sixth inning, giving up two runs on three hits. Carson Cornelius pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief, and Reese Usselman pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the save.
New Monarch Reese Ratchford, who was picked up as a catcher, had a fifth-inning RBI for the final Monarch run.
The Monarchs will next play at midnight Saturday against the Tulsa Sandlot. A Monarchs win will clinch a spot in bracket play.
