BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

DODGE CITY — Great Bend's superb defense wasn't enough against unbeaten 6A Derby in a battle of softball unbeatens.

The Panthers (14-1) converted a pair of double plays and threw out two baserunners at home.

"Our defense came up with huge plays to get us out of some sticky situations," said Panther coach Shawn Behr.

But Derby pitcher Addi Gutzmer (2-0, 0.77 ERA), threw a no-hitter, struck out 13 batters and yielded no earned runs. Great Bend is averaging 10 runs with a team average of .379.

Coach Behr credited Gutzmer with mixing quality pitchers to keep the Panthers hitless.

"Gutzmer showed a good curve, added a 'wicked' changeup, and sprinkled in a great riseball," he said. "She's the best pitcher we've seen. Derby will be playing in late May."

The Panthers drew two walks and had baserunners reach base on errors. Camdyn Post walked advanced to third on an error and scored on a fourth-inning passed ball.

Panther pitcher Chayla Prendergast (7-1, 0.96 ERA) threw four shutout innings.

Derby (14-0) responded with a 3-run fifth inning. Charlie Ayala and Kenzie Rhodes delivered back-to-back singles. Behr figured Kayla Cooper would bunt after a brief timeout.

Prendergast fielded Cooper's bunt, but Ayala beat the attempted throw by Prendergast.

"If we fielded it cleanly, we had shortstop Kya (Behr) cheating to cover," Behr said. "The girl put a bunt down perfectly between third and catcher, and the runner just beat our throw. It was definitely bang, bang. I'd do it again."

Karlie Demel delivered the key hit, a 2-run double. A third run scored on a Panther error.

"The Demel kid laced one just inside third and drove two runs, Behr said. "Derby has several girls who see college-type pitching all summer, which absolutely solidifies how well Chayla threw."

Behr is thankful the Panthers played high-caliber pitcher who will prepare the team for postseason play.

"This is a game you take away many invaluable lessons, that you 100 percent can't replicate in practice," he said. "We aren't going to hang our heads. We'll pack what we learned into the back of our minds."

Great Bend 000 100 0 — 1 0 4

Great Bend 000 030 x — 3 5 2

Prendergast and Koelsch. Gutzman and W—Gutzman, 2-0. L—Prendergast, 7-1. 2B—D—Demel.