Pryce Bender and Daegan Vinduska combined to throw a five-inning no-hitter on Thursday, and the Hutchinson Monarchs nudged closer to the Jayhawk Collegiate League championship as they beat the Great Bend Bat Cats 11-1.
The game was called off with two outs in the top of the sixth inning due to thunderstorms in the Great Bend area. Since five innings were played, the game is official.
The Monarchs belted 14 hits, including three apiece from JJ Spafford and Jeter Worthley. Spafford also drove in three runs.
The Monarchs led 1-0 in the top of the third inning and soon built on that lead. With two outs, Jackson Legg tripled and scored on Jake Knox’s single. Omare Cross followed with a single, and Jarrett Herrmann walked, loading the bases. Spafford’s two-run double gave the Monarchs a 4-0 lead.
The Monarchs blew the game open in the fourth inning by scoring seven runs. Tyson Vassart and Legg each had a two-run double.
Bender pitched into the fifth inning, giving up a run on four walks. Vinduska relieved Bender with one out and retired the next two Bat Cats.
The win, coupled with Derby’s doubleheader split with the Kansas Cannons, left the Monarchs’ magic number to win the league at two. The Monarchs are 23-5 overall and 21-5 in the league. The most games Derby can win is 22.
The Monarchs complete a two-game road trip on Friday at Kingman. They’ll return to Hobart-Detter Field at 7 p.m. Saturday against Kingman.
