Hutchinson Monarchs fight off Derby Twins for 7-5 victory
The Hutchinson Monarchs fought off the Derby Twins 7-5 Thursday night at Panther Field in Derby.
Hutchinson improved to 20-7 overall and 9-2 in Jayhawk Collegiate League play.
Derby dropped to 17-10 overall ands 6-4 in league play.
Hutchinson scored one run in the top of the third inning to take a 3-2 lead over the Twins.
Derby’s Richard Gutierrez belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the third inning off Hutchinson pitcher Jace Miner (University of Oklahoma/Austin, Texas) to give the Twins a 4-3 lead. It was his third homer of the summer.
Hutchinson tied the score 4-4 in the top of the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Sam Wiese (Eastern Illinois University/Omaha). Derby failed to score in the bottom of the fifth.
In the top of the sixth, the Monarchs loaded the bases with no outs on two walks and an error. Hutchinson scored a run on a fielder’s choice for a 5-4 lead. Jared Gustafson (Wichita State University/Wichita) walked to load the bases.
Blake Bradford (Hutchinson CC/Kansas State/Sylvania, Ohio) struck out and Jarrett Flaggert (Cowley County/Wichita State transfer/Choctaw, Okla.) grounded out to end the Hutchinson threat in the sixth.
Derby started the bottom of the sixth inning with a single but the baserunner was picked off first base. Miner then struck out the next batter and forced a pop-up to end the inning.
Hutchinson scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning for a 7-4 lead and the Twins failed to score in the bottom of the frame. The Monarchs’ bats were silent in the top of the eighth.
After one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Monarchs committed an error at first base but induced a double play to end the frame.
Hutchinson did not score any runs in the top of the ninth inning. Derby loaded the bases on walks in the bottom of the ninth. Hutchinson got a strike out for the second out but walked in a run to cut Hutchinson’s lead to 7-5. Derby’s Caden Richards struck out for the third out.
Wiese had a big offensive night for the Monarchs with a single, double, sacrifice fly, walk and three RBI. Gustafson walked twice, doubled and scored two runs. Flaggert walked twice, singled and scored a run.
Miner pitched seven innings to get the victory for the Monarchs. Brock Rod (Stephen F. Austin/El Campo, Texas) pitched two innings of relief to get the save.
Hutchinson will play five home games and two road games during the next nine days.
Hutchinson hosts the Diamond Kings at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Before the 7 p.m. Saturday game, a vintage “Base Ball” game will be played at 5:15 p.m. between the Salt Packers and the Prairie Dogs.
There will be a youth equipment drive at Hobart-Detter Field Saturday night. Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used baseball equipment to provide gear for young players in need.
Remaining Hutchinson Monarchs 2024 Schedule
Friday — Diamond Kings, Hobart-Detter Field, Carey Park.
Saturday — Vintage Baseball Game, Hobart-Detter Field, Carey Park, 5:15 p.m.
Saturday — Diamond Kings, Hobart-Detter Field, Carey Park.
Monday — Wichita Black Sox, Hobart-Detter Field, Carey Park.
Tuesday — Wellington Heat, Hibbs Hooton Stadium, Wellington.
Thursday — Kansas Cannons, Hobart-Detter Field, Carey Park.
July 19 — Kingman Islanders, Hobart-Detter Field, Carey Park.
July 20 — Hutchinson Monarchs NBC Autograph Session, 11 a.m. Scheel’s Sporting Goods Store, Wichita.
July 25-Aug. 3 — 90th National Baseball Congress Tournament, Wichita State University’s Eck Stadium (‘Round the Clock Baseball July 27).
‘New old’ Jackie Robinson statue to be unveiled on Aug. 5
The “new old” Jackie Robinson statue will be unveiled at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5 at League 42’s home at historic McAdams Park in Wichita inside the Jackie Robinson Pavilion.
“We’re expecting a large crowd for this event and parking will be at a premium,” said League 42 executive director Bob Lutz. “If you attend, you’ll need to park in one of the lots adjacent to the Pavilion on 17th Street near Wabash and Ohio streets.”
Lutz said the lots will fill quickly and there will be about 90 spaces at the Leslie Rudd Learning Center, 1212 E. 17th Street North, just across from the Pavilion.
“I know this event is going to receive a lot of news coverage and we’re expecting some folks from Major League Baseball to attend,” Lutz said. “We’re still working on some of the details.
“This is obviously a big deal for League 42, our players, coaches, parents and staff. It’s been a very emotional six months since the theft of the statue, and much has happened. Bad has transformed into good and we’re thankful for everyone who has supported our organization.”
Halstead’s Callyn Divine competing at national wrestling tournament
Halstead High School sophomore-to-be Callyn Divine will compete at the 2024 USA Wrestling Junior and 16 and under National Championships.
The tournament will be held at the FargoDome in Fargo, N.D.. Friday through July 20, with competition in men’s freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle.
Divine just finished Fargo Prep Camp, according to the Halstead High School Wrestling Facebook page.
Divine competed for the 16 and under Team Kansas squad that recently placed eighth at the Girls National Duals in June in Westfield, Ind.
During her freshman year, Divine placed second in the 130-pound weight class at the 2024 Kansas Class 4-1A state girls wrestling tournament. She posted a 40-1 record.
The United States Marine Corps is a presenting sponsor of the 2024 USA Wrestling Junior and 16 and under National Championships. A USMC band will perform the national anthem.
Hutchinson High girls golf team meets July 18-19
Any girl interested for the Hutchinson High School Salthawk girls golf team in the fall of 2024 are encouraged to meet from 10-11 a.m. at the Carey Park putting green on next July 18-19 (Thursday and Friday).
“We will hit a few balls, get acquainted and learn the basics,” said Hutchinson girls golf coach Charlie Pierce.
Pierce’s email is piercec@usd208.com.
Kansas Crushers 18U softball team starts nationals with two wins
The Kansas Crushers 18 and under softball team, coached by John Young, went 2-0 at a national tournament with a 9-0 win and a 3-0 win on Wednesday.
“[Hutchinson High School standout] Kohlbie Craft dropped an absolute bomb for a Grand slam in Game 1,” Young said. “The girls also had great pitching and defense.”
Kansas Jayhawk men’s basketball team announces non-Big 12 schedule
The Kansas Jayhawks will open the 2024-2025 men’s basketball season with 11 non-Big 12 Conference games.
The Jayhawks will celebrate their 70th season inside historic Allen Fieldhouse in 2024-25.
Fans will get a first look at an enhanced Allen Fieldhouse at the 40th Annual Late Night in The Phog on Friday, Oct. 18. The Jayhawks will play an exhibition game at The Phog Oct. 29 against Washburn University.
The Jayhawks’ non-conference schedule includes North Carolina, Michigan State, Duke, Creighton, Missouri and North Carolina State.
In Big 12 play, Kansas will host Arizona, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and West Virginia and will have league road games at BYU, Utah, TCU, Baylor and Cincinnati.
KU will play home-and-home conference contests against Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas State, Houston and UCF.
The conference men’s basketball schedule will begin in late December. The Big 12 Championship takes place March 11-15 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo.
Kansas finished the 2023-24 season with a 23-11 record 10-8 Big 12).
Kansas was the Associated Press’ preseason No. 1 pick.
Kansas was ranked in every Associated Press Poll in 2023-24, including 17 weeks in the AP Top 10.
Kansas advanced to its 51st all-time NCAA Tournament, including its 34th in the last 35 seasons.
KU BASKETBALL’S 2024-25 NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Oct. 18 (Friday) — Late Night in the Phog.
Oct. 29 (Tuesday) — Washburn (Exhibition).
Nov. 4 (Monday) — Howard.
Nov. 8 (Friday) — North Carolina.
Nov. 12 (Tuesday) — vs. Michigan State (Champions Classic, Atlanta).
Nov. 16 (Saturday) — Oakland.
Nov. 19 (Tuesday) — UNC-Wilmington.
Nov. 26 (Tuesday) — vs. Duke (Vegas Showdown, Las Vegas).
Nov. 30 (Saturday) — Furman (Vegas Showdown).
Dec. 4 (Wednesday) — at Creighton (Big 12-Big East Challenge).
Dec. 8 (Sunday) — at Missouri.
Dec. 14 (Saturday) — North Carolina State.
Dec. 22 (Sunday) – Brown.
Kansas City Royals trade pitcher Colin Selby
The Kansas City Royals made a trade on Thursday afternoon, sending Colin Selby to the Baltimore Orioles.
“We have traded right-handed pitcher Colin Selby to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash considerations,” the Royals announced on social media.
Selby appeared in two games for the Royals on the mound, going three innings, allowing two hits and three runs. The 26-year old right-handed thrower was designated for assignment by the Royals on July 6.
Selby was traded to the Royals on April 7 from the Pittsburgh Pirates for left-handed pitcher Connor Oliver.
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