McPHERSON, Kan. – The Hays Monarchs Junior American Legion baseball team scored seven runs in the first inning to beat the Newton Knights and complete a doubleheader sweep in McPherson Saturday afternoon. The Junior Monarchs knocked off Buhler 7-3 in their first game to move to 8-1 on the season.

An RBI triple by Luke Ruder, a two-run single by Creighton Renz, an RBI single by Tate Garcia, an RBI double by Karl Rack, an RBI double by Adam Gottschalk, and an RBI double by Carlos Schwindt during the first inning supplied the early offense for Hays Monarchs.

Tate Garcia tossed two innings of shutout ball. He struck out two, walked one and surrendered one hit and picked up the win. Carlos Schwant struck out four in two innings of relief.

The Monarchs scored four in the top of the seventh to break a 3-3 tie to win a back an forth affair with Buhler in their first game of the day. The Monarchs scored a run in the sixth to tie the game then took the lead for good an inning later with a bases loaded walk to Karl Rack which scored Creighton Renz. Renz and Gavin Schumacher both had three hits. Schumacher doubled in the fifth inning and singled in the second and sixth innings and drove in two.

Luke Ruder got the win with two scoreless innings of relief.