The Hays Monarchs capitalized on the only mistake that Hays or Pratt made in an elimination game on Saturday morning in Sabetha, 2-1 over two time defending champions Pratt. Shane Zimmerman threw just 83 pitches in the seven inning complete game performance. Zimmerman allowed just two hits and one run.

Dustin Schumacher Postgame Interview – Part 1
8-04 monarchs game 1 postgame seg 1

Dustin Schumacher Postgame Interview – Part 2
8-04 monarchs game 1 postgame seg 2

The game was tied at one into the bottom of the seventh when Nathan Zimmerman walked, Pierce Schippers singled, and Dylan Gottschalk walked to load the bases with nobody out to start the inning. Colby Schippers and Shane Zimmerman each struck out setting up potential heroics for Nick Hammeke. Hammeke fell behind 0-2 on the pitch count, but relief pitcher B.J. Dean threw a wild pitch to the back stop that allowed Nathan Zimmerman to score from third for the 2-1 victory.

Hays advances to the championship Saturday at 2pm. If they win, they will play a second championship game Sunday at 10am. The Monarchs lost 8-6 in nine innings to Iola Friday in a game that lasted just 1 hour an 22 minutes.