By Brad Hallier
The Hutchinson Monarchs ended pool play at the NBC World Series on Monday at Eck Stadium with a lopsided 17-6 loss to the Seattle Cheney Studs.
The loss was the Monarchs’ second in a row, but they still finished in third place in their pool. That means they will qualify for bracket play, which starts Wednesday.
The Monarchs started brightly. Jaden Gustafson scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the first inning, giving the Monarchs a 1-0 lead. Then, they answered a three-run inning from the Studs with three runs in the bottom of the second. Cooper Wesslund’s sacrifice fly scored Jack Gardner, and with two outs, Gustafson doubled home two more runs, giving the Monarchs a 4-3 lead.
After that, it was all Seattle. The Studs scored five runs in the third inning, six in the fourth and three in the fifth. The game ended after five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.
Gustafson and Camden Johnson had two hits each.
Cole Toureau was the losing pitcher for the Monarchs.
The Monarchs pitchers struggled, as they combined for more walks (12) than hits allowed (10).
The Monarchs won’t know their game time and opponent until late Tuesday, when pool play finishes.
