BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
Great Bend freshmen sensations Kya Behr and pitcher Chayla Prendergast performed like seasoned veterans, as the Panthers rallied for a 4-3 opener and dominated the nightcap 5-1 at the Great Bend Sports Complex.
The teams dealt with wild spring weather, starting with 40-degree temperatures followed by thunder, lightning and snow flurries.
PANTHERS 4, PRATT 3 (G1) – Behr became an instant rock star with the game-winning double that scored Kamryn Koelsch with the game-winningf walkoff victory.
Pratt's Jaycie Theis doubled home two runs and Stapleton singled home Theis for a 3-0 lead.
The Panthers trailed 3-0 and were down to their final three outs. Behr broke up Dallie Winklepeck's shutout with a single to score Paige Thexton. Camdyn Post scored when Alyssa McCauley's groundball was misplayed. Behr scored on Denver Ringo's single for a 3-3 tie. Katherine Mazouch was thrown out at home to keep the game tied 3-3.
Prendergast (1-0) preserved a 3-3 tie by striking out Winklepeck to strand runners at third and second base.
Koelsch was hit by a pitch and Camdyn Post reached safely on a bunt off Pratt reliever Savannah Copus.
PANTHERS 5, PRATT 1 (G2) – Prendergast (2-0) showed the poise of a veteran with three strikeouts in a 4-hitter. Theis scored Pratt's run on an error.
Behr ignited the Panthers with a first-inning triple that scored Camdyn Post. Behr scored on DeShawnna Bryant's double.
Thexton singled home Koelsch with a second-inning single. Camdyn Post scored on Bryant's fifth-inning single. Rylee Prilling scored on Koelsch's sixth-inning single.
Pratt 003 000 0 – 3 6 3
Great Bend 000 003 1 – 4 7 1
Winklepeck, Copus (7) and Stapleton, Craedick. Turner, Prendergast (7) and Koelsch. W–Prendengast, 1-0. L–Copus. 2B–GB–Behr.
Pratt 000 100 0 – 1 4 0
Great Bend 210 011 x – 5 9 2
Copus, Tensley (6) and Craedick. Prendergast and Koelsch. W–Prendengast, 2-0. L–Copus. 2B–GB–Bryant. 3B–GB–Behr.