LARNED- Despite a rained out tournament at home the Great Bend Chiefs made the most of a wet weekend on Saturday traveling down the road to Larned and returning with a pair of victories. Following an 11-10 victory in the first half of a doubleheader the Chiefs pulled away with a 9-5 win in the series closer. Logan Perry was the starter in game one while Miguel Sanchez offered relief. Great Bend started the game on a 6-1 drive. The Chiefs gave up nine runs in a single inning and fell behind but managed to pull off the rally. Tristan Hall salvaged the victory from the hill.

Bryce Lytle started on the mound in game two’s 9-5 victory. Lytle took a line drive shot to the head and came out of the game after the third inning. Lytle was examined at the hospital and showed symptoms of a concussion and will not be available for action over the next few days. Lytle had relief from Brady Michel while Hall closed the door against Larned in the latter innings.

In Saturday’s first game at Larned Michel batted in three runs while Hall, Matt Zecha and Anson Smith each posted a pair of RBI.

Zecha recorded three RBI in the 9-5 win while Hall added two RBI. Jaxx Hilman finished the game at two for three hitting.

Saturday’s first game saw the Indians score first as Isaiah Perez came across off a passed ball. Two innings later the Chiefs reeled in two runs as Michel and Hillman scored on a double by Matt Zecha giving Great Bend a 2-1 lead. The Chiefs added four more runs in their half of the fifth as Lytle scored on a single by Hall. Ireland then scored in the one hole on the second of Michel’s three RBI. Hall would then score off a single by Zecha before an RBI ground out off the bat of Brayden Smith brought Michel through and put the visitors up 6-1.

Larned responded in the ensuing half of the inning with a nine-run payload and took the go ahead leading 10-6 after five frames.

An infield error in the top of the sixth scored Lytle before Ireland scored the second of his two runs on an RBI unassisted put out off the bat of Michel. Hall would then score off a double from clean up hitter Jaxx Hillman pulling Great Bend to within a run trailing 10-9.

Smith scored in the top of the seventh while Brett Bayse was brought in off an infield error returning the lead back to the Chiefs. Great Bend sailed through four batters in the bottom half to hold on for the 11-10 victory.

Larned’s Evan Skelton finished game one with three RBI while Camryn Bryant went two for three hitting.

In game two, Konner Ireland was the first run scored for the Chiefs in their opening at-bat scoring off a base hit grounder through the left side by Anson Hall. Following a scoreless second, Great Bend saddled a three run third as Zecha doubled scoring Michel and Hillman. Lytle then came across off a steal attempt at third by Hall giving the Chiefs a 4-0 advantage.

Miguel Sanchez led off the fourth with a double then scored on a fielder’s choice with Bayse at the plate. In the fifth, Hall scored on an RBI ground out from Zecha putting the Chiefs up 6-0.

The Indians recorded a five-run attack in their half of the fifth and trailed by a narrow 6-5 margin.

Bayse scored from third on a passed ball in the sixth before a bases loaded walk in the seventh from Smith scored Zecha. Logan Perry would then come across as Ireland reached on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch. Larned was taken in order in the bottom of the seventh as the Chiefs went on to claim the 9-5 win.

Great Bend fell in a pair of  pickup games Sunday at Russell. Following an 8-3 loss to Russell the Chiefs fell to TMP in a 17-2 decision.

The two losses drop Great Bend to 8-5 on the season. The Chiefs will face Russell in a midweek rematch beginning at 6 and 8 p.m. Wednesday at Russell before hosting Hutchinson Friday at 6 and 8 p.m. at the Great Bend Sports Complex.   

GREAT BEND 11, LARNED 10
Great Bend 000 243 2 - 11 11 2
Larned       010 090 0 - 10   7 5
Perry, Sanchez (5), Hall (5) and Zecha. Perez, Bryant (7) and Stelter. W—Hall. L—Bryant. 2B—GB, Hillman, L, Smith. 3B—L, Evan Skelton.

GREAT BEND 9, LARNED 5
Great Bend 103 111 2 - 9   7 2
Larned       000 050 0 - 5 10 1
Lytle, Michel (4), Hall (7) and Zecha. Evan Skelton, Smith (6). Erway (7) and Stelter. W—Michel. L—Evan Skelton. 2B—GB, Zecha, Sanchez; L, Bryant, Erway, Herter, Stelter.