BY MIKE MARZOLF
Special to the Tribune
SALINA – The Great Bend Chiefs are hot. Maybe not sizzling like the weather, but there is no doubt the American Legion baseball team is hot.
Great Bend made it 10 wins in 11 games with a sweep of the Salina Falcons Tuesday night on the road. The Chiefs had little trouble in sweeping the Falcons, winning 13-4 and 14-6.
The wins – and hot stretch – have improved Great Bend to 18-7 on the season. Maybe more eye-popping is the Chiefs record against team from Kansas. That mark is now 15-1.
“I was interested to see how the kids would respond after letting one get away last game,” Chiefs coach Roger Ward said of Sunday’s championship loss in Dodge City to Hays. “And to be truthful, they responded just how I thought they would. We came out and put pressure on them and hit the ball around.”
Barton jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first, scored three more in the second and never let up.
In the opener the Chiefs pounded out 14 hits on the way 13 runs in the six inning win. Brett Basye tossed all six innings striking out three and walking three while giving up eight hits.
Great Bend had to work a little harder in the second game before winning 14-6 in seven innings.
Brad Reif went five innings to pick up the win, giving up six hits and five runs. The biggest issue for Reif was six base on balls.
“He is trying to get his rhythm,” Coach Ward said of Reif. “With injuries and redshirt, he didn’t throw a lot at Barton his past year. He is continuing to work through that and is getting better. We will get it straightened out.”
Brice Kaiser pitched the final two innings, allowing a run on two hits.
Great Bend fell behind 5-1 early in the game but put up six runs in the third inning and never looked back.
This time the Chiefs pounded out 16 hits. Konner Ireland, Jared Maneth and Brayden Smith each had three hits. Brady Michel added a long 2-run home run.
Great Bend continued to run the bases during the sweep, stealing 10 bases on the night.
Another bright spot for the Chiefs has been the play of its defense this season – especially up the middle.
“Bryce Lytle has come a long way as a shortstop. He has made some plays this summer remind me of myself at his age,” Coach Ward joked.
“And Konner (Ireland), that kid is a hidden gem. He plays varsity but is a quiet guy who just goes about his business. He has a lot of confidence going right now and is showing emotion on the field I haven’t seen out of him. The kid’s a ball player.”
Next up for the Chiefs will be the Hooper Showcase in McPherson. Great Bend will play Marion at 4 pm Thursday then return Saturday for two more games before bracket play on Sunday.
“I feel pretty good about where we stand with the pitching staff going into tournaments,” Coach Ward said. “The hardest thing for me is deciding who to pitch and when. The pool play is the most important to set up a chance for the championship on Sunday but you want your best pitching on Sundays.
“We have a good, deep staff right now and making those tough decisions on starters is a good situation to be in.”
Great Bend will play Newton and Junction City Saturday to finish pool play with bracket set for Sunday. There will be four, 4-team pools with bracket play set up by where you finish in your pool.
