Monarchs slide past Great Bend Bat Cats 9-3 with Scott Wolverton’s 3 RBIs

GREAT BEND, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs managed through a strong Great Bend Bat Cats 3rd inning where the Monarchs gave up three runs. The Monarchs came back to win 9-3 on Tuesday in Great Bend. The Bat Cats scored their runs on a home run by Brady Michel. The Hutchinson Monarchs secured the victory thanks to a 5-run 8th inning. The offensive onslaught came from singles by Dylan Nedved and Scott Wolverton, and a double by Jackson Loftin.

The Monarchs fired up the offense in the first inning when Taylor Barber doubled on a 2-2 count, scoring two runs.
In the bottom of the 4th inning, the Great Bend Bat Cats tied things up at three. Michel drove in three when he homered.

The Monarchs pulled away for good with one run in the 5th inning. In the 5th, Wolverton singled on a 1-1 count, scoring one run.
The Monarchs scored five runs in the 8th inning. Nedved, Loftin and Wolverton powered the big inning with RBIs.

Mikel Howell was the starting pitcher for Hutchinson. He went seven innings, allowed three runs on three hits and struck out five.

Tanner Howe was on the hill for Great Bend. He went 4 1/3 innings, allowed four runs on nine hits, struck out three and walked one.

Zach Curry, Will Mossa and Easton Young each contributed in relief for Great Bend.

The Monarchs hit one home run when Brayden Whitchurch went yard in the 4th inning.

The Monarchs tallied 15 hits. Loftin, Nedved, Whitchurch, Barber and Wolverton all managed multiple hits for Hutchinson. Whitchurch, Nedved and Loftin each collected three hits to lead the Monarchs.

Hutchinson didn’t commit a single error in the field. Ryan Stoecklein had the most chances in the field with 12.

Hutchinson returns home to close out the season with a game tonight versus Great Bend at 7:00 p.m. and Mulvane Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. at Hobart-Detter Field. Playoff game dates have been set and will begin at Eck Stadium in Wichita on Monday, July 22.