The Hutchinson Monarchs belted three home runs Saturday, including two from Tyson Vassart, and the Monarchs shook off a slow start to beat the Kingman Islanders 16-6 at Hobart-Detter Field.
The game ended in the bottom of the seventh inning due to the 10-run mercy rule.
The Monarchs came into Saturday’s game having hit just 14 home runs in their first 22 games. But they needed something to give them a jolt after the Islanders scored six runs in the top of the third inning and took a 6-3 lead.
In the bottom of the third inning, Jackson Legg led off and walked, and with one out, Joey Senstock belted a massive opposite-field home run over the left-field wall. That cut the Kingman lead to 6-5.
Two innings later, Drew Bugner led off and reached on an error. With one out, Vassart hit his first home run, and the Monarchs led for good.
In the sixth inning, AJ Mustow hit a two-run single, and Vassart added three-run home run for a 12-6 lead.
The Monarchs added four runs in the seventh inning to end the game.
The Monarchs outhit Kingman 11-6. Vassart finished 2 for 4 with six RBIs, Mustow and Dylan Bell added two hits apiece.
Whit Rhodes earned the win on the mound, pitching three shutout innings in relief. He gave up no hits, no walks and struck out one.
The Monarchs improved to 18-5 overall and 16-5 in the Jayhawk Collegiate League. They lead the Derby Twins by 1 1/2 games, the Haysville Aviators by 2 1/2 games, and the Great Bend Bat Cats by three games.
The Monarchs continue a busy stretch of eight games in eight days at 6 p.m. Sunday when they take on the Haysville Aviators at Hobart-Detter Field.
