By Brad Hallier
The Hutchinson Monarchs played their first home game since winning the NBC World Series, and they treated a large crowd Monday at Hobart-Detter Field to a 13-3 win over Dirtbag Baseball.
The Monarchs scored 13 runs on just four hits. The pivotal eighth inning saw the Monarch score six runs without one hit. The Dirtbags also didn’t commit an error in the inning.
Yes, the Monarchs scored six runs in one inning without one hit or one error. Recapping, the Monarchs took a 6-3 lead into the inning. Austin Coyle led off with a walk and stole second. With one out, Brett Smajstrla was hit by a pitch. Coyle then stole third and Smajstrla stole second. With two outs, Blake Bradford was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Jaden Gustafson was also hit by a pitch. Cooper Harris then walked, as did Sam Wiese.
Jarrett Flaggert followed by getting hit by a pitch and Coyle walked. Three wild pitches then resulted in three runs, ending the game.
Wesslund led the Monarchs with a hit and two RBIs.
The Monarchs were hit by nine pitches in the game.
Camden Cornelius pitched three innings in relief in earning the win. The Nickerson graduate gave up one unearned run and three hits.
The Monarchs improved to 1-2 and will travel to play Dirtbag Baseball at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Westside Athletic Field in Wichita.
