By Brad Hallier
Four days ago, the Hutchinson Monarchs were an afterthought at the NBC World Series.
Following an 11-run run loss to the Seattle Cheney Studs, the Monarchs had lost their last two games in pool play and limped into bracket play as a third-place team.
The Monarchs immediately revived their NBC World Series journey, and after Friday’s 7-5 win over the Kansas Cannons at Wichita State’s Eck Stadium, they are headed back to the championship game.
The Monarchs opened bracket play with a 15-4 rout of the Liberal BeeJays before edging 10-time champion Santa Barbara Foresters 3-2 in the quarterfinals.
Friday, the Monarchs met a fellow Jayhawk Collegiate League team with a berth in the championship game at stake. After the teams exchanged zeros on the scoreboard for five innings, the Monarchs scored three runs in the sixth inning, all coming with two outs.
With Camden Johnson on third base, Will Edmunson singled him home. Edmunson then stole second base and scored on Sam Wiese’s single. Wiese, who had three hits, took second on the hit via an error, and he scored on Reese Ratchford’s double.
The Cannons, however, fought back. They scored once in the bottom of the sixth and four in the seventh inning, as the Monarchs needed three pitchers to get through the seventh inning. Starter Jace Miner pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out nine.
Reece Usselman cleaned up the seventh inning and pitched a scoreless eighth inning, allowing the Monarchs to stay close.
The Monarchs got a run back in the eighth inning, as Jaden Gustafson led off with a triple, and he scored on Edmunson’s squeeze bunt.
The Monarchs quickly put pressure on the Cannons in the ninth inning. Jarrett Flaggert led off with a single, and pinch runner Austin Coyle advanced to third base on an errant pickoff throw. Cooper Wesslund was then hit by a pitch, and so was Brett Smajstrla, loading the bases.
Johnson then came to bat, and on a full count pitch, swung at a pitch that was likely ball four. His immediate reaction was dismay, but it soon turned to joy, as the line drive scooted past the drawn-in infield, scoring two runs and giving the Monarchs a 6-5 lead.
Wiese added an RBI single with two outs.
Reed Scott pitched a shutout ninth inning, earning the save. Usselman earned the win.
The Monarchs outhit the Cannons 10-9 but committed four errors to the Cannons’ two.
The Monarchs will go for their second straight championship at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets start at $12. The game can also be viewed on the NBC World Series’ YouTube channel.
