COLBY, Kan. – The Hays Monarchs Optimist scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to break a 5-5 tie then held off Colby 9-7 to stay alive in the Colby AA Zone American Legion Tournament.

Cole Zimmerman singled after a walk and an error to give the Monarchs the lead. Eston Brown had a pinch-hit sacrifice fly, Trent Mayo singled and Tate Garcia doubled to drive in the runs in the decisive inning.

Colby scored two in the bottom of the inning and had the tying run at second when Chase Werth induced a ground out to third to end the game.

Werth pitched the final 2 1/3 innings and gets the win. He also drove in three. Garcia had three hits.

The Monarchs (18-10) dropped their tourney opener to Hoisington 3-1, giving up three runs in the first. They will now play Goodland at 3 pm Thursday afternoon in another elimination game.