DRAGONS ADVANCE TO REGION 6 WINNERS’ BRACKET FINAL AFTER RUN-RULE VICTORY
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
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2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 1 |
Hutchinson CC Sports Information
DODGE CITY – Kaibryn Kruger homered, drove in three runs and scored four times as the top-seeded Hutchinson Community College softball team advanced in the winners' bracket of the 2026 Region 6 Tournament at Legends Park.
After a two-run opening-round win over Pratt earlier on Friday, the Blue Dragons rolled to a 9-1 winners' bracket semifinal win over the Colby Trojans.
Now 42-12, the Blue Dragons advance to the winners' bracket final at 4 p.m. on Saturday against Dodge City. The Conquistadors defeated Garden City and Butler on Friday.
BLUE DRAGON SOFTBALL
No. 1 Hutchinson (42-12) vs. No. 3 Dodge City (44-16)
Region 6 Tournament Winners' Bracket Final
When: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Where: Legends Park, Dodge City
Time: 4 p.m.
Video: KJCCC Network, 4 p.m.
X: @bluedragonsport
For the fourth-straight game, a Blue Dragons opponent scored first, but the Blue Dragons immediately responded.
Trailing 1-0, Kruger gave the Dragons the lead with a two-run home run to left field. The Dragons continued to build their lead with three runs in the third, one in the fourth and three more in the fifth to invoke the run rule.
Kruger went 2 for 2 with her 11th home run of the season with four runs scored and three RBIs.
Kruger is now tied for ninth on the single-season home run list with Sarah Rothe, Madison Grimes and Tailor Golly. She tied for ninth for single-season runs with four runs scored. Kruger now has 141 career runs, which is No. 3 in Blue Dragon history.
Gabby Stauffer went 3 for 3 with three singles, two RBIs and a run scored. Stauffer moved into the career Top 10 for hits, tying Makenzi Shackley and Izzy Godina for ninth with 123 career hits.
Hadley Topping and Emery Benson-Hladik had single hits and single RBIs.
Sophomore Aubree Thomas improved to 13-2 with three innings of work in the pitching circle. She allowed five hits and gave up a single run with one strikeout and two walks.
Hailey Ediger pitched the final two innings, retiring all six Colby batters she faced.
The Blue Dragons reached the run rule in the fifth inning with three runs scored with two out. Tailor Golly scored on Kruger's RBI double off the left-field fence. Stauffer then singled home Riley Dreher and the game ended when Kruger scored on a wild pitch to give the Dragons a 9-1 lead.
GAME NOTES – The 44 wins this season ties the 2023 Blue Dragons for the second-most wins in team history. … Now with 18 home runs, Kaibryn Kruger is tied with Tori Carruthers, Riley Wertz and Jaeleigh Darnell for eighth on the Blue Dragon career home run list. … Kruger now has 77 career stolen bases. … Aubree Thomas now has 26 career wins in her Blue Dragon history.