BY JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

MAIZE — The third time for Great Bend's baseball team against Goddard Eisenhower was definitely not a charm. The Tigers rolled past the Panthers 9-0 in Tuesday's rain-delayed regional baseball opener.

Eisenhower led 6-0 when play was suspended for two hours by lighting in Sedgwick County. 

When play resumed, the Panthers wasted their final scoring opportunity. Joseph Moeder and Edwin Chavez drew back-to-back fifth-inning walks. Jade Poe's bunt backfired when he popped out. Shortstop Mason Turney turned Sage Koelsch's groundball into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play. The next inning ended the same way when third baseman Jason McCarty turned Chayse Gruber's groundball into another double play.

The Panthers, who stranded six baserunners, also threatened to score in the first two innings. Jade Poe and Gruber were stranded when Brad Beck hit into a first-inning groundout. Stefan Spray singled, but was forced out on a unlucky break when Gavin Haberman's looping second-inning fly ball landed safely in right field.

Owen Reynolds singled home Mason Turney and Jason McCarty singled in Reynolds for a 2-0 first-inning lead. Carson Adams scored on an Owen Rush second-inning sacrifice fly. Adams singled home Cory Gleason and McCarty for a 5-0 lead after three innings. Turney tripled and scored on a Reynolds' sacrifice fly for a 6-0 lead.

Rush singled home Adams and Cory Gleason's bases-loaded walk forced home a fifth-inning run. Noah Stevens' sixth-inning single drove home Ethan Eddy for a 9-0 margin.

The Tigers (14-7) advance to the 5A regional finals while Great Bend ends with a 7-13 record. 

Great Bend 000 000 0 — 0 3 1

Eisenhower 212 121 x — 9 15 0

Holden, Hernandez (3), Gruber (5) and Beck. Horn, Omli (5) and Stevens. W—Horn, 3-1. L—Holden, 1-5. 3B—GE—Turney

5A MAIZE—Maize South 14-6 vs. Newton 7-13; Goddard Eisenhower 9, Great Bend 0