The Hutchinson Monarchs never led Thursday, and despite a big ninth inning rally, they fell 9-6 to the Junction City Brigade.
Junction City scored the game’s first three runs and never trailed. The Monarchs got two runs back in the fourth inning, as Drew Bugner and Carter Hepner drove in runs on singles.
Junction City answered with one run in the bottom of the fourth inning and five in the seventh inning to take a 9-2 lead.
The Monarchs made things a little interesting in the ninth inning. Marcus Gradney hit a solo home run, Jaden Gustafson belted a two-run double and then scored on Brice Wallar’s single, but that would be it for the Monarchs.
Brayden Henry picked up the loss for the Monarchs, allowing four runs on seven hits in four innings.
The Monarchs fall to 18-8 and return to Hobart-Detter Field at 7 p.m. Friday to take on the Haysville Aviators.
