The Hays Monarchs scored in all but one inning Friday night on their way to a 10-5 win over the Beloit Blue Jays, advancing to the AA American Legion State Championship game at Young Memorial Field in Colby.
Beloit took advantage of a walk to the second hitter of the game and scored the game’s first run on an RBI single. But the runner was picked off first by Monarchs’ starter Liam Stults for the final out of the first inning.
The Monarchs tied the game at one in the bottom of the second after Chase Romme reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and then scored on a Ryan Ruder single.
Hays got three straight singles to lead off the third inning and took a 2-1 lead on a Jared Vitztum single that scored Liam Stults. But with two on the Monarch were unable to add to their lead.
With one out in the top of the fourth the Blue Jays worked a pair of walk and a single off of Stults, who gave way to reliever Braiden Werth. Werth recorded a strikeout and a groundout to work out of the jam.
In the bottom of the inning, with two outs, Ryan Schippers delivered a bases clearing double to give Hays the 5-1 lead.
Beloit tied the game at 5 with a four-run fifth inning. Werth surrendered back-to-back walks to lead off the inning and then after retiring one he allowed two straight hits including an RBI single. He then gave up a bases loaded walk that drove in a run and a two-run double to tie the game at 5.
With the game tied at 5 the Monarchs answered with a two run fifth inning. Ricky Hockett drove in a run on an RBI single and Jared Vitztum drew a bases loaded walk to put the Monarchs up 7-5.
Hays added three more runs in the sixth inning on their way to the 10-5 win. The Monarchs fourth in-a-row as they improve to 26-7.
Braiden Werth earned the win in relief, his third. Werth allowed four runs on five hits in three and two-thirds innings.
Vitztum was two-for-three with 3 RBIs and Schippers also drove in 3 RBIs.
The Monarchs will play in the AA championship game at approximately 12:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Hays will play the winner of the loser’s bracket.
Hays can clinch the championship with a win, a loss would mean a second championship game scheduled for Sunday in Colby.
Iola defeated Doniphan County, 10-2 in an elimination game and Larned eliminated Colby with an 8-2 win in the second elimination game Friday morning.
Iola and Larned faced each other in the loser’s bracket semifinal game Friday night. The winner of that game plays Beloit Saturday morning. The winner of that game plays Hays for the championship.