Carson Gonzales pitched 4 1/3 shutout innings in relief Sunday, and the Hutchinson Monarchs had their second straight come-from-behind win, as they overturned an early two-run deficit to beat the Haysville Aviators 5-2 at Hobart-Detter Field.
Gonzales came in to pitch with two on base and two outs in the top of the third. After giving up a two-run double – both runs were charged to starter Lachlan Rosser – Gonzales settled in and gave up one more hit and two walks, while striking out five.
Camden Cornelius pitched a perfect eighth inning, striking out the side, and Russell Copous pitched a shutout ninth inning for the save.
The Monarchs tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jake Gutierrez led off and doubled. AJ Mustow and Tyson Vassart followed with walks, loading the bases. Joey Senstock’s single brought home Gutierrez, and Jackson Legg’s sacrifice fly scored Mustow.
Mustow’s solo home run in the sixth inning gave the Monarchs the lead for good. Gutierrez added a two-run single in the seventh inning.
The Monarchs improved to 19-5 overall and 17-5 in the Jayhawk Collegiate League. Their lead for first place grew to two games on the Derby Twins, 3 1/2 over Haysville, and four on Great Bend.
The Monarchs return to action at 7 p.m. today against the Wichita Wildcats. The game is a continuation of a June 23 game that was suspended in the bottom of the first inning with the Monarchs up 3-1. The game will continue from the point of suspension.
