The Hutchinson Monarchs wrapped up pool play at the NBC World Series on Monday at Wichita State’s Eck Stadium with a 9-5 loss to the Seattle Cheney Studs.
The loss dropped the Monarchs to second place in Pool B. The Monarchs and Studs each went 2-1 in pool play, but the Studs own the tiebreaker. The Monarchs still advance to bracket play, and they’ll next play on Wednesday, time TBA.
The Monarchs had a bright start, scoring four runs in the top of the third inning and grabbing a 4-1 lead. Dylan Bell gave the Monarchs the lead with a two-run home run. The Monarchs added a third run after consecutive singles from Jake Gutierrez, Drew Bugner and Jaden Gustafson. Tyson Vassart’s sacrifice fly scored Bugner for the final run of the inning.
The Monarchs answered a Studs run in the top of the fourth inning on Gutierrez’s RBI single.
The Monarchs maintained a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the fifth when the Studs scored five runs, including four with two outs.
The Studs outhit the Monarchs 11-10. Gutierrez, Gustafson and JJ Spafford each had two hits for the Monarchs.
Pryce Bender was the losing pitcher, as he gave up six runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. Bender struck out six.
