By Brad Hallier
The Hutchinson Monarchs lost an NBC World Series game for the first time since the 2022 quarterfinals on Sunday, as Tulsa Sandlot jumped to a four-run lead after an inning and then rallied late for a 7-6 win.
The game was part of the NBC’s Baseball Round The Clock, and the Monarchs didn’t start until after midnight Sunday morning.
The Monarchs scored first, when Jack Gardiner was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the top of the first inning. But by the time the Monarchs batted again, they were down 5-1.
The Monarchs clawed back in the game. Cooper Wesslund’s RBI groundout in the second inning scored Camden Johnson. Sam Wiese’s bases-loaded walk two innings later brought in Wesslunk, cutting the deficit to 5-3.
The Monarchs surged ahead in the sixth inning. Wiese belted a two-run double, tying the game, and he scored on Reese Ratchford’s RBI fielder’s choice.
Tulsa, however, reclaimed the lead with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Ian Lanik took the loss on the mound for the Monarchs despite giving up just one hit and one walk in three innings.
The Monarchs will next play at 6 p.m. Monday against the Seattle Cheney Studs.
