Hutchinson Monarchs return to NBC World Series final behind Shocker core
The Hutchinson Monarchs are headed back to the National Baseball Congress World Series championship game, once again powered by a strong Wichita State presence.
Saturday’s 7 p.m. title game at downtown Wichita’s Equity Bank Park will mark the Monarchs’ third straight trip to the final. Hutchinson captured the NBC World Series crown in 2023, fell just short in last summer’s title game against Hays, and now returns with a roster loaded with current and future Shockers aiming to finish the job.
Tickets can be purchased online, and postgame fireworks are scheduled after the championship.
This summer’s Monarchs squad has looked like an unofficial extension of Shocker baseball. Whether it’s returning WSU players, incoming recruits or local standouts with Wichita ties, Hutchinson’s playoff run has featured major contributions from all corners of the Shocker pipeline.
The road to the final was anything but smooth. Hutchinson edged the six-time champion Alaska Goldpanners 2-1 in a tense quarterfinal, then avenged their only tournament loss with a gritty 3-2 win over the three-time champion Seattle Studs on Friday night.
Wichita native Bradyn McClure, a Kapaun Mt. Carmel graduate and current Pittsburg State pitcher, was dominant on the mound in the semifinal. The right-hander held Seattle to one run over 6 2/3 innings, striking out nine in a performance defined by command and composure.
After falling behind early, Hutchinson swung the momentum with a three-run third inning, sparked by a trio of Shocker-affiliated players. Drew Bugner, an Andale graduate and incoming WSU recruit, delivered a clutch 2-RBI single to put the Monarchs ahead. Moments later, current Shocker outfielder and Maize alum Jaden Gustafson tacked on an RBI double to make it 3-1.
When it came time to close, Hutchinson again turned to WSU talent. Mitchell Johnson, a Derby graduate and incoming Shocker pitcher, recorded a scoreless ninth to secure the win. Another WSU newcomer, Jacob Gutierrez, chipped in with two hits, a stolen base, and a run scored in the semifinal.
Hutchinson now prepares for Saturday’s championship showdown with the Lonestar Kraken, who staged a wild walk-off win over Hays in Friday’s other semifinal. Lonestar raced to an 8-1 lead before Hays rallied with seven unanswered runs, including the game-tying run in the ninth scored by current Shocker Kaleb Duncan, to force extras. Preston Curtis ended the drama with a solo home run in the bottom of the 11th to send the Kraken to the final with a 9-8 victory.
Lonestar features a familiar face for Wichita State fans: former Shocker slugger Josh Livingston, who has driven in 10 runs this tournament after transferring to Texas. His bat figures to be a key factor in Saturday’s finale.
This story was originally published August 2, 2025 at 5:55 AM.
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