The Hutchinson Monarchs clinched a share of the Jayhawk Collegiate League championship on Sunday, as they came from behind late to beat the Newton Rebels 13-10 in Newton.
The Monarchs finished league play 23-9, tying with Junction City. The two teams split the regular-season series, winning two games each. It is the Monarchs’ fourth league championship, going with titles won in 2020, 2021 and 2025.
The Monarchs had two games rained out earlier this year against the Performance Factory Phenoms and weren’t played, but those games have been credited as 7-0 wins for the Monarchs.
It was a wild Sunday, as the Monarchs raced to a quick 6-0 lead before storms caused the game to be delayed.
Although 23 runs were scored, the Monarchs scored in just three innings and Newton in two.
Before the skies opened, the Monarchs put on an offensive display. James Dagenhart opened the scoring with a two-run home run. Jaden Gustafson later added a two-run single, as did Dalton Sabathe.
The game was delayed minutes later. When it restarted, the Rebels soon shifted the momentum, scoring four runs in the fifth inning.
The Monarchs scored two runs in the seventh inning, pushing the lead back to 8-4, but Newton scored six runs and took a 10-8 lead.
The Monarchs quickly mounted a rally in the ninth inning. Jacob Knox led off and walked. With one out, Nash Wray, Drew Bugner and Carter Hepner hit consecutive singles, tying the game 10-10.
Gustafson was then walked intentionally, loading the bases, and a wild pitch scored Bugner, giving the Monarchs an 11-10 lead. Another wild pitch scored another run, and back-to-back walks to Jackson Harding and Knox added two runs.
Brice Wallar was the winning pitcher for the Monarchs, pitching 1 2/3 innings of relief. He gave up one hit and struck out five.
The Monarchs outhit Newton 14-10, with Bugner leading the way with four.
The Monarchs and Junction City both will head to the NBC World Series this week, as will fellow league member Great Bend Bat Cats, who earned an at-large bid. The Monarchs will open the World Series at 6 p.m. Thursday against Lonestar Baseball Club. The other teams in the Monarchs’ pool will be the Seattle Blackfins and TPA Texas.
