Monarchs rally past Rebels in 9th for 13-8 victory
NEWTON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs scored five runs in the ninth inning to pull away from the Newton Rebels for a 13-8 victory Wednesday night at Klein-Scott Field.
The Monarchs improved to 13-3 in summer play after overcoming an early collapse that saw Newton erase a six-run deficit and take the lead.
Hutchinson jumped ahead 6-0 through three innings before the Rebels mounted a comeback. Newton scored five runs in the fifth inning to take an 8-7 lead, capitalizing on several Monarch defensive miscues.
The Monarchs tied the game in the sixth inning and delivered the decisive blow in the ninth.
Blake Bradford led the offensive attack, going 3-for-6 with three RBIs. He drove in two runs with a first-inning single and added an RBI single during the ninth-inning rally.
Keegan Demmer contributed a two-run homer in the third inning and later added a sacrifice fly in the ninth.
Brayden McClure earned the victory in relief, pitching 2.2 scoreless innings while allowing one hit and striking out six batters. Aiden Sowers closed out the game in the ninth inning.
The ninth-inning rally began when a throwing error allowed the go-ahead run to score. The Monarchs then drew three consecutive bases-loaded walks to extend their lead to 11-8 before Bradford and Demmer provided additional insurance runs.
Newton's comeback was fueled by defensive lapses from Hutchinson in the fourth and fifth innings, which led to five unearned runs. Spencer Goldston paced the Rebels with two hits and two RBIs, while Tanner Peoples added a run-scoring double.
The teams will meet again Thursday night in Newton for the second game of their series.
Hutchinson also announced that its rain-suspended game against the Wichita Wildcats will resume Monday, July 7, at Hobart-Detter Field. The Monarchs led 3-1 in the bottom of the first inning with one out when play was halted.
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