Hays Larks vs Hutchinson Monarchs
In the championship game, the Hays Larks emerged victorious over the Hutchinson Monarchs with a 7-3 win.
The Monarchs jumped to an early lead, scoring three runs in the second inning, but the Larks steadily chipped away, beginning with a run in the third. A critical turning point came in the eighth inning when the Larks broke a 3-3 tie by scoring two runs, followed by a three-run burst in the ninth, capitalized by a three-RBI performance from Wilbert Espinal.
Despite Hutchinson’s 10 hits, they couldn’t convert more runs, leaving 14 runners stranded on base.
Hays’ pitching staff, led by reliever Garrett Hicks and Dalton Campbell effectively stifled the Monarchs after their initial outburst, with Hicks earning his fourth save of the tournament.
Monarchs’ pitcher Ian Lanik took the loss.
Kaleb Duncan also played a pivotal role for the Larks, driving in two runs.
The Monarchs, aiming for back-to-back championships, had strong performances from Camden Johnson and Jack Gardner but couldn’t match the Larks’ timely hitting.
This win marks a significant achievement for Hays, securing their first NBC World Series Championship.
