PRATT — The Great Bend Braves split a Class A American Legion doubleheader on Monday, falling to Pratt 6-2 in the first game before winning 9-5 in the second.
“It was just night and day, the difference between the two games,” Braves head coach Jordan Metro said. “They just looked tired in that first game, but they woke up and started doing everything right in the second.”
Tristan Hall took the mound for the Braves in the first game, pitching six innings and recording the loss.
Metro said that his team was a little fatigued heading into the first game.
“Well, football (camp) just started on Monday, so a lot of the kids were a little tired from that,” Metro said. “Then we get down there, and the Pratt coach had the wrong day on his calender, so they weren’t ready to play. That set us back about 45 minutes.
“We had the kids sitting around waiting, and I think they got a little tired.”
Tyler Nuss had one of only two Great Bend hits in Game 1. He scored on an error during a squeeze play with Jared Maneth at the plate.
Shade Wondra recorded the other hit for the Braves, who are now 3-1 this season. Wondra scored on a wild pitch.
Dillon Reiser, who pitched the final inning of the first game, started for the Braves in the second. He pitched five innings and gave up one hit.
Matt Zecha drove in two runs with sacrifice bunts.
“If we need a bunt, we go to him.” Metro said. “He came up with a man on third twice, and both times he was able to get him home.”
Nuss went 2-for-2 with a walk and a hit by pitch, and Logan Zecha was 2-for-2 with a walk, three runs scored and three stolen bases.
“They both had good days at the plate,” Metro said. “In that second game, we were just more aggressive.”
The Braves travel to Larned tonight for a doubleheader, starting at 6.
The Braves tournament originally scheduled for this weekend has been canceled after too few teams signed up to play.

                                                     — Kevin Price