Hutchinson Monarchs capture NBC World Series championship with 21-4 rout

WICHITA, Kan. — Jaden Gustafson drove in five runs on three doubles to lead the Hutchinson Monarchs to a 21-4 victory over the Lonestar Kraken on Saturday night, claiming their second National Baseball Congress World Series championship in three years.

The Monarchs finished their summer campaign with a 33-8 record under head coach Casey Lippoldt, overwhelming the Kraken with 17 hits and drawing 11 walks at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

Gustafson set the tone early with a two-run double in the first inning as Hutchinson jumped to a 3-0 lead. He added another two-run double during a six-run third inning and completed his dominant performance with a third two-run double in a five-run fourth.

"Jaden had an incredible night," Lippoldt said after the game. "He came through in every clutch situation."

Jake Gutierrez and Tyson Vassart each contributed three RBIs for the Monarchs, while Drew Bugner joined Gustafson and Blake Bradford with three hits apiece in the offensive explosion.

Starting pitcher Pryce Bender earned the victory, allowing just two runs over 5 1/3 innings. Bender carried a perfect game into the fifth inning before surrendering consecutive singles to break up the bid.

Relief pitchers Daegan Vinduska, Kyle Holzer and Aiden Benson combined to finish the game for Hutchinson.

The Kraken managed only five hits against Monarchs pitching. Major Brignon accounted for two of Lonestar's four runs with a pair of RBIs.

The championship marks Hutchinson's second NBC World Series title under Lippoldt, adding to their 2023 crown. The Monarchs have now established themselves as one of the premier programs in amateur baseball, capturing two titles in the span of three seasons.

The NBC World Series, held annually in Wichita, features top amateur baseball teams from across the country competing for the national championship. The tournament has been a fixture of summer baseball since 1935.

For Hutchinson, the title caps another dominant summer that saw the team compile one of the best records in the tournament field before rolling through the championship bracket.