The Hays Monarchs used two different three-run innings and a solid pitching performance from Shane Zimmerman to stay alive, with a 6-5 win over Wellington, at the AA State American Legion Tournament in Pratt Thursday morning.

The Monarchs took advantage of four first inning walks to score three runs on just one hit. Ryan Shippers drew a bases loaded walk to score the first run of the game and Shane Zimmerman and Pierce Shippers both drove in a run on sacrifice fly giving Hays a 3-0 lead after the first.

Wellington scored four runs in their half of the third to take a 4-3 lead. The Monarchs answered with three more in their half of the fourth.

Taylor Wasinger led off the inning with a single and came around to score on a Kameron Schmidt RBI single, tying the game at 4. Schmidt then stole second and scored on a Cameron Brin triple giving the Monarchs a 5-4 lead. Brin scored on a groundout by Braiden Werth to put Hays up 6-4.

Wellington added one more in the fourth to cut the lead to 6-5 and the Monarchs would go on to win by that margin.

Shane Zimmerman earned the win for Hays. He allowed five runs on six hits over seven innings and struck-out 10.

Cameron Brin was 1-for-3 with a triple with an RBI and scored two runs. Kameron Schmidt finished 1-for-2 with two stolen bases.

The Monarchs will play the loser of Thursday night’s game between Ellis and Sabetha at 12:30 Friday morning.

In the other early game Rock Creek eliminated host Pratt 10-2.