BY JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

Great Bend's softball team nearly qualified for 5A state softball in back-to-back years, losing a 7-6 heartbreaker to Topeka Seaman last season. 

In 2024, the Panthers qualified for state at Wichita State for the first time in nine years.

First-year softball coach Shawn Behr liked to call his girls the "Bad News Behrs," in their younger days. They roared past Dodge City 25-0 and 15-0 to kick off the spring season.

"It's rewarding coaching these girls. We have lofty expectations, and high goals. We want to win the 6-foot tall trophy," said Behr. "Our pitching staff should be one of the best in the state. We have our sights on winning WAC, two games in regionals, and round one at state. On day two, 'If we're there, we may as win the whole darn thing.'

Panthers committed to college teams are P Chayla Prendergast (Texas A&M/Corpus Christi); CF Camdyn Post (Fort Hays State); P Braelyn Turner (Barton County); 1B Alyssa McCauley (St. Louis CC) and C Kamryn Koelsch (Coffeyville).

Western Athletic Most Valuable Player Chayla Prendergast (26-6, 3.20 ERA, past 2 years), All-WAC Kya Behr (.533, 42 RBI) and Camdyn Post (.444, 34 R) will anchor the Panthers' lineup which features eight starters and three veteran pitchers. 

All-WAC 1B Alyssa McCauley (.495, 4 HR), utility Katherine Mazouch (.464) and catcher Kamryn Koelsch (.412, 18 RBI) highlight six All-WAC players from a 12-0 WAC champion. The Panthers also return starters 3B Denver Ringo (.287) and DH Callie Umphres (.356). The Panthers feature a perfect mix of power and contact hitters.

No. 1 pitcher Prendergast will be backed up by Braelyn Turner (3-1, 4.02 ERA) and McCauley (4-1) .

"Chayla has the ability to dominate teams, and pound the zone with velocity," Behr said. "Our pitchers' goal is stay ahead in the counts and pitch aggressively through the at bats. Braelyn Turner worked her tail off, and is spinning it extremely well.  She will make her mark this year.  Alyssa McCauley keeps the ball low with a drop and change-up." 

Shortstop Behr and third baseman Ringo anchor a solid defensive left side.

The premier defensive outfield will feature LF Ava Kaiser, CF Post and RF Mikala Minton with utility Katherine Mazouch providing a reliable backup.

"Every girl has blistering speed, track balls extremely well, and are capable at the plate," Behr said. "Mikala Minton's speed creates pressure on defenses. She's put the ball in play, plus has a great glove. Katherine's batting average has gone up every season."

Catcher Koelsch is the defensive captain.

"My field general Kamryn is one of the toughest kids, and our hardest worker," Behr said. " She's invested countless hours of tee work, and cage time to improve herself at the plate. She keeps us in the flow of the game, and offers a good release and pop down to second base."

The Panthers will rely on a speed-oriented offense that will put the softball in play.

"At the plate, our goal is hit it where it's pitched," he said. "We've worked on letting that pitch travel and driving it to the opposite field."

Two years ago, three Panther freshmen helped deliver the Panthers past Newton 4-3 and Goddard High 5-3 in the 2024 5A softball regional.  Spring Hill downed Great Bend 14-5 at the 5A state tournament.

Second baseman Baze Hogan is a promising newcomer who will strive for playing time.

Behr likes his team's chemistry.

"My No. 1 team rule is be a great teammate," he said. "You have to be coachable and give 100 percent. We constantly work on doing the 'little things' correctly. That's often the deciding factors in close games. We want to throw strikes, play clean on defense, and hit the ball. When you do that, it gives you a chance to win, you still need a little luck."

PANTHER ROSTER

SENIORS—1—Kamryn Koelsch .412 (35-92), 18 RBI; 7—Braelyn Turner 3-1 (11-6) (4.02 ERA); .444 (4-9); 9—Alyssa McCauley .520 (on base);.495 (47-95), 4 HR; McCauley 4-1 (5.67 ERA); 11—Denver Ringo .287 (23-80);  25—Katherine Mazouch .539 (on base);.464 (45-97); 30—Ava Kaiser .286 (2-7); Josie Blevins; Heidi Jording; Ellie Newman

JUNIORS—2—Camdyn Post .545 (on base);.444 (40-90), 38H, 34R; 17—Kya Behr .568 (on base); .533 (57-103), 51 H, 42 RBI; 22—Chayla Prendergast 15-4 (26-6) (2.99 ERA); .310 (22-71); 34—Gabriella Tomlin

SOPHOMORES—3—Alyssa Prendergast, 10—Mikala Minton; 21—Abbie Meyer, 31—Callie Umphres .356 (31-87)

NINTH-GRADERS—4—Baze Hogan; 5—Catalina Scheneck; 10—Sammy Fleming; 12—Marlee Gaddis; 13—Peyton Smith; 14—Jaya Stroup; 15—Sadie Settle; 33—Rydlie Swanson

PANTHER SCHEDULE—WW—*Dodge City (25-0, 15-0); 3-27—at Hutchinson; 3-31—at Manhattan/McPherson; 4-2—Pratt; 4-7—*Liberal (1); 4-9—*at Liberal (2); 4-14—*at Dodge City (1); 4-17-18—at Dodge City Round Robin; 4-21—*at Hays High (1); 4-23—*Hays High (2); 4-28—*at Garden City (1); 4-30—*Garden City (2); 5-8—McPherson/Junction City; 5-14—at Newton; 5-18—at 5A regionals