By: Grant Barrett, Ad Astra Radio
BUHLER, Kan. – After weather pushed back Saturday’s contest at Hobart Detter Field in Hutchinson, the Monarchs and Great Bend BatCats, would meet at Wray Field for a doubleheader.
In Game 1, Jaden Gustafson would break a scoreless tie to get the Monarchs on the board in the bottom of the second with a single that scored Max Buettenback. Gustafson would then steal second, and would give Hutchinson a 2-0 lead on Drew Bugner’s single.
Both teams would threaten in the third, loading the bases, but the BatCats would scrape a run when Armani Raygoza’s single scored JoJo Nieves to make it a 3-1 Monarch lead.
After a scoreless fourth inning, a pair of walks, and a pair of errors came by Hutch, as Connor Chavez would clear the bases with a double, giving Great Bend a 4-3 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth, it was the Monarchs who would tie the game on an unearned run. Both teams would have their opportunities late, but after a pair of shutout innings, the game would head to extras tied at 4-4.
After a pair of singles by the BatCats, a wild pitch would move runners to second and third before a balk would give them a 6-5 lead.
In the bottom of the eighth, Jaden Gustafson reached on an error, which was followed by a pair of walks, tying the game before Blake Bradford’s single would give the Monarchs a 6-5, walk-off win.
The BatCats would respond in Game 2, behind a pair of solid performances on the mound. Kyle Winkler would get the start, pitching through five innings scoreless, striking out eight Monarchs, allowing just one free pass.
Robby Bolin would get Great Bend on the board with a single that scored Connor Chavez. Bolin would finish with a three hit game, including a triple. The BatCats managed all six runs in the middle innings, as a pair of errors would lead to a 4-0 lead going into the fifth before Armani Raygoza would leave the yard for a two-run home run.
Chayse Gruber would shut the door on the Monarchs, holding them hitless in the final two innings, giving up just one walk, while striking out four batters in the 6-0 win.
Both teams will return home on Monday. The Batcats will host the Newton Sluggin Rebels Al Burns Memorial Field, while the Monarchs will host the Derby Twins at Hobart Detter Field. First pitch for both games is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
