Drew Bugner finished a home run shy of the cycle Saturday, having three of the Hutchinson Monarchs’ 16 hits, and the Monarchs bounced back from Thursday’s extra-inning loss to beat TPA Stix 10-5 at the NBC World Series at Wichita State’s Eck Stadium.
The win, coupled with Lonestar Baseball Club’s win over the Seattle Blackfins, clinched a spot in bracket play for the Monarchs. The Monarchs will play the Blackfins at 8:30 p.m. Monday in the final pool play game, as both teams will jockey for second place in the pool.
Bugner helped get the Monarchs an early 2-1 lead. Marcus Gradney’s one-out double scored AJ Mustow, tying the game. Then, with two outs, Bugner tripled home Carter Hepner.
Bugner came through again in the fourth inning. The Monarchs were down 3-2 with two on base and two outs, and Bugner doubled home Hepner and Gradney.
The Monarchs broke open the game in the fifth inning with five runs. Jaden Gustafson led off with a double, and he moved to third base when Jackson Schanuel reached on an error. Brice Wallar’s single scored Gustafson.
With one out, Dalton Sabathe singled home Wallar and Schanuel, and Gradney’s double scored Sabathe, pushing the lead to 8-3. Bugner later doubled home Gradney.
Bugner finished with four RBIs. Gustafson also had three hits, while Gradney was 2 for 5 with two RBIs.
Bradyn McClure started and pitched five innings for the Monarchs, earning the win. He allowed three runs on eight hits while striking out eight. Daegen Vinduska earned a save by pitching four innings in relief, giving up two runs on three hits.
