Tyson Vassart belted a double, a home run, and drove in four runs on Saturday, leading the Hutchinson Monarchs to a 7-4 win over the Wichita Wildcats in Rose Hill.
Vassart’s two-run double got the Monarchs on the board in the top of the first inning, and they led the rest of the way.
The Monarchs increased their lead to 4-1 in the top of the second inning, as Jackson Legg and Vassart had back-to-back bases-loaded walks.
Vassart added a solo home run in the seventh inning.
The Monarchs, despite the win, struggled to put the ball in play, as the Monarchs struck out 19 times.
Three Monarchs pitchers answered with 16 combined strikeouts. Ethan Giesbrecht earned the win by pitching six innings, giving up three runs on five hits and striking out 11. Daegan Vinduska pitched two hitless innings in relief, and Russell Copous pitched the ninth, giving up a run on two hits but striking out the side.
The Monarchs improved to 12-3 overall and 11-3 in the Jayhawk Collegiate League. They maintained a two-game lead on Great Bend and Derby.
The Monarchs will next play at 7 p.m. Monday against the Wichita Wildcats at Hobart-Detter Field.
