By Brad Hallier
The Hutchinson Monarchs opened the 2024 season Saturday with a pair of losses at the Haysville Aviators.
The Monarchs were slated to open the season Friday at Haysville but the game was rained out. The teams played a doubleheader Saturday. Haysville won 4-2 and 7-6.
In the first game, the Monarchs mustered just two hits and squandered a good outing from four Monarchs pitchers. Ian Regal, Josiah Ross, Garrett Folmar, and Brock Rod combined to allow four runs on three hits. They walked three and struck out seven.
The Monarchs scored two runs in the top of the first, both coming with two outs. Brett Smajstrla drove home the second run on a bases-loaded hit by pitch, but the Monarchs didn’t score again.
In the second game, the Monarchs again started well, scoring three runs before Haysville batted. Sam Wiese drove home two on a double, and he later scored on Zerick Warren’s sacrifice fly.
The Aviators scored all their runs in the first three innings.
The Monarchs will make their home debut at 7 p.m. Monday at Hobart-Detter Field against Dirtbag Baseball.
