WICHITA, Kan. – The Hutchinson Monarchs jumped out to a 3-0 lead over the Palm Springs Chill midway through the feature game of the 85th annual NBC World Series pool play A game at Eck Stadium before an injury to one of the newest Monarchs, Casey Mayes of Andover, happened in the bottom of the 4th.  Mayes was plunked by a pitch in the bottom of the 4th, then as the freshman from Michigan State stole 2nd base, he over-slide the base a bit and injured his lower leg.  After a long delay, Mayes was carted off to an ambulance waiting just outside the Monarchs bull pen.

After play resumed, Hutchinson was able to score on a sacrifice fly by Brayden Whitchurch to score Ed Scott who came in to run for the injured Mayes.  The Monarchs go up 4-0 after 4.

The Chill was able to score 3 in the top of the 5th to close the game to 1 run with the Monarchs clinging to a 4-3 lead going to the 6th.

Joshua Fortenberry came on in relief, but the Chill tie it up on a fielders choice and the game was tied up 4-4 going to the bottom of the 6th.

The Monarchs were retired quietly in the bottom of the 6th and Fortenberry worked out of a jam in the 7th with 2 strikeouts and a pop out.

Cooper Elliot was safe after a bobble by the Chill first baseman.  Then Elliot got an easy steal to 2nd which brought up Taylor Barber, who was promply hit by a pitch.  Runners on 1st and 2nd now with 1 out.  Ed Scott singled to score Elliot and the Monarchs regained the lead 5-4 end of 7.

With 1 out in the top of the 8th with the tie run at 1st base for the Chill, The Monarchs bring in their ace reliever Noah Kelly out of Las Vegas.  The Chill was able to score to tie it up at 5 apiece as we go to the bottom of the 8th.

Ryan Stoecklein got on by an error that took 2nd on an errant throw and the Monarchs were in business with nobody out.  Mason Lowe droped down a perfect bunt to get on with an infield hit and the Monarchs had runners at the corners in the bottom of the 8th.

Lowe then got caught in a run down trying to steal 2nd for the 2nd out with a runner at 3rd base.  After Elliot was hit by a pitch, Dylan Nedved lined a single to right to score Stoecklein to give the Monarchs the lead 6-5.

Palm Springs got the lead off runner on in the top of the 9th on a hit by pitch, but he was erased by a sweet 5-4-3 double play then made a sweet stop on a hard hit ball to get the final out 5-3 on the put out.

Monarchs win 6-5. Elliot was named player of the game for his efforts in the field and at the plate.

Hutchinson now takes on the Dodge City A’s Tuesday at 1 pm in the 8 team pool bracket.  Hutchinson would have to win Tuesday and again on Wednesday to advance to Championship Week Tournament.  It’s win or go home time.