Hutchinson Monarchs’ shortstop Cooper Wesslund, who will transfer to the University of Nebraska-Omaha after playing two seasons at Hutchinson Community College, fields a ground ball during the Monarchs’ 5-2 win over TPA Texas in a pool play game Thursday night at the National Baseball Congress World Series. The NBCWS is being played at Wichita State University’s Eck Stadium. (Photo courtesy of the NBC).
The Hutchinson Monarchs opened their NBC World Series title defense Thursday at Wichita State University’s Eck Stadium with a 5-2 victory over Top Prospects Academy (TPA) Texas.
The Monarchs, from the Jayhawk Collegiate League in Kansas, earned an at-large bid for being the defending champions.
The Monarchs, who play Tulsa Sandlot at midnight Saturday in Game 2 of Pool A play (part of the NBC’s “Baseball ‘Round the Clock” schedule).
Hutchinson, which will take on the Seattle Cheney Studs at 6 p.m. Monday in their Pool A finale, improved to 28-7.
Dating back to last season, the Monarchs have seven NBCWS games in a row.
Will Edmundson extended his Monarchs’-record hitting streak to 23 games and Jaden Gustafson extended his hitting streak to 14 games.
The Monarchs scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning on four hits and an error to take a 4-0 lead.
Gustafson and Jarrett Flaggert had singles in the second inning but the Monarchs did not score.
Hutchinson scored one and stranded two in the bottom of third inning for a 5-0 lead.
Edmundson led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a single but the Monarchs are scoreless in the frame.
TPA Texas got on the scoreboard with one run in the top of the fifth inning.
The Monarchs stranded two more runners in a scoreless bottom of the fifth inning but still led 5-1.
Ian Regal started on the mound for the Monarchs. He left the game after pitching 5 1/3 innings. He put two runners on base on the top of the sixth and was replaced by Carson Cornelius, who made his 54th Monarch appearance.
TPA Texas scored one run to cut the Monarchs lead to 5-2 in the top of the sixth inning, but left the bases loaded. Hutchinson went down in order in the bottom of the sixth and loaded the bases but did not score in the seventh.
Cornelius retired six straight batters in the top of the seventh and eighth innings.
An inning-ending double play turned the Monarchs away in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Relief pitcher Reese Usselman came into close for the Monarchs in the top of the ninth inning with Hutchinson winning 5-2.
The first 1,000 fans at Eck Stadium Thursday received a custom NBC World Series bobblehead of Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige.
Michael O’Neal, grandson of legendary Baseball Hall of Fame and NBC Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige, attended opening night of the 90th NBC World Series.
Members of Paige’s family threw out the honorary first pitch.
2024 NBC College World Series Pool Play Schedule
Pool A
• Hutchinson Monarchs
• Seattle Cheney Studs
• TPA Texas
• Tulsa Sandlot
Pool B
• GPS Legends
• Haysville Aviators
• Santa Barbara Foresters
• Seattle Blackfins
Pool C
• Boulder Collegians
• Derby Twins
• Liberal Bee Jays
• San Diego Stars
Pool D
• Air Capital Flyers
• Hap Dumont League
• Kansas Cannons
• Lonestar Baseball Club
Thursday, July 25
• 6 p.m.: Hutchinson Monarchs 5, TPA Texas 2
• 8:30 p.m.: Tulsa Sandlot vs. Seattle Cheney Studs
Friday, July 26
• Midnight: Lonestar Baseball Club vs. Kansas Cannons
• 3 p.m.: Seattle Blackfins vs. Haysville Aviators
• 6 p.m.: GPS Legends vs. Santa Barbara Foresters
• 8:30 p.m.: Air Capital Flyers vs. Hays Larks
Saturday, July 27 (Baseball ‘Round the Clock)
• Noon: Boulder Collegians vs. San Diego Stars
• 3 p.m.: Liberal Bee Jays vs. Derby Twins
• 6 p.m.: Seattle Cheney Studs vs. TPA Texas
• 9 p.m.: Santa Barbara Foresters vs. Seattle Blackfins
• Midnight: Hutchinson Monarchs vs. Tulsa Sandlot
Sunday, July 28 (Baseball ‘Round the Clock)
• 3 p.m.: GPS Legends vs. Haysville Aviators
• 6 am: Air Capital Flyers vs. Lonestar Baseball Club
• 9 am: Derby Twins vs. Boulder Collegians
• Noon: Hays Larks vs. Kansas Cannons
• 3 p.m.: Liberal Bee Jays vs. San Diego Stars
• 6 p.m.: Seattle Cheney Studs vs. Doc’s Bombers
Monday, July 29
• Noon: TPA Texas vs. Tulsa Sandlot
• 3 p.m.: Santa Barbara Foresters vs. Haysville Aviators
• 6 p.m.: Hutchinson Monarchs vs. Seattle Cheney Studs
• 8:30 p.m.: Seattle Blackfins vs. GPS Legends
Tuesday, July 30
• Noon: San Diego Stars vs. Derby Twins
• 3 p.m.: Air Capital Flyers vs. Kansas Cannons
• 6 p.m.: Lonestar Baseball Club vs. Hays Larks
• 8:30 p.m.: Boulder Collegians vs. Liberal Bee Jays
Top three teams in each pool will advance to single-elimination bracket play starting July 31.
HutchCC library book display celebrates Paris Olympics
The 2024 Summer Olympics begin Friday night in Paris with opening ceremonies.
NBC and NBC affiliates will televise Olympic events.
The John F. Kennedy Library at Hutchinson Community College will celebrate the 2024 Paris Olympics with a special Olympic-themed book display.
“To celebrate, we’ve put out a display on the history of the Olympics and some of the issues surrounding them,” the library announced on its social media pages. “Come on down today to see learn about the worldwide sporting event of the summer.”
NiJaree Canady transferring to Texas Tech
Reigning National Softball Player of the Year NiJaree Canady is transferring to Texas Tech.
Canady announced her commitment to the Red Raiders via social media on Wednesday.
“These past two years have been amazing and I thank @StanfordSball for the ride of a lifetime. Excited for what’s ahead! @TexasTechSB,” Canady said.
Canady played on the Topeka High School girls basketball team with former Hutchinson Community College player Kiki Smith, who helped lead the Blue Dragons to a 37-0 and an NJCAA Division I championship.
Smith transferred to the University of Arkansas.
The reigning USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, Canady led the nation with 337 strikeouts in 230 2/3 innings after leading Stanford to a second straight Women’s College World Series appearance.
Canady signed a one-year, $1,050,024 deal with the Red Raiders’ collective Matador Club, according to The Athletic. On3’s Pete Nakos reported the deal was close to $1.2 million.
16 and under Crushers looking to add more players
The Central Kansas 16U Lady Crushers softball team is looking to add a couple of position players to their team.
Athletes making the team already are Macy Miller, Ella Theissen, Levi Miller, Kynedi Huggard, Emily Eck, Lyla Levin, Maddison Parsons, Annistyn Cram, Annalee Eckhoff and Wendy Roth.
“This is a well established team with experienced coaches,” said coach Kaya Wells. “Send us an email if you are interested in a workout with the team.”
The Crushers email is centralkansascrushers@gmail.com.
Buhler Jr. Crusaders will have 10U team for 2025
The Buhler Jr. Crusaders softball program announced that it will have a 10 and under team for 2025.
“Now that we have a coach, we are looking for a few more girls,” said the Crusaders on their social media pages. “We are looking for all positions. Come see us next Thursday. Fill out the form and come be a part of the best program around. We may be a little biased.”
The signup form is available here.
Crusader Softball held tryouts for the 12 and under teams on Tuesday.