JJ Spafford, Jackson Schanuel, Jaden Gustafson and Brice Wallar all had three hits apiece Monday, and the Hutchinson Monarchs wrapped up pool play at the NBC World Series with a 15-5 win over the Seattle Blackfins.
The game ended in the bottom of the fifth inning due to the 10-run mercy rule.
The Monarchs finished in second place in Pool A behind Lonestar Baseball Club, and they will play again Wednesday in the first round of bracket play.
The Monarchs found themselves in an early hole, trailing 4-1 going to the bottom of the third inning. The Monarchs then scored four runs, all with two outs. Spafford started things with a double, scoring Owen Rush. Gustafson also doubled, scoring Spafford, and he scored on Schanuel’s single.
After Wallar singled, AJ Mustown singled home Schanuel.
The Monarchs kept the hit parade going in the fourth inning when they scored seven runs. Seven straight Monarchs singled in the inning, and eight consecutive Monarchs reached base safely.
The Blackfins got one run back in the top of the fifth inning, but the Monarchs ended the game with four in the bottom of the fifth.
The Monarchs finished with 17 hits. Gustafson had two doubles.
Cooper Senne was the winning pitcher, as he threw all five innings, helping give the Monarchs’ bullpen a day off and have every arm ready for bracket play.
The Monarchs’ opponent, and the time of Wednesday’s game, will be announced after all pool play games finish Tuesday.
