BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
After Denver Ringo and Kya Behr blasted back-to-back homers, Great Bend kept the momentum to clinch consecutive Western Athletic Conference softball titles.
Great Bend relief pitcher Chayla Prendergast worked out of a bases-loaded jam to preserve a doubleheader sweep over Garden City 13-3 and 12-6 Friday.
The Panthers (21-1, 12-0 WAC) has swept 28 consecutive Western Athletic games. Garden City drops to 9-11, 5-3 WAC.
"It feels good to be WAC champs," said Great Bend softball coach Shawn Behr. "We've got 22 girls who push to get better every day. They are accountable to each other. I'm happy for this group."
The Panthers scored 25 runs in the doubleheader.
"Our offense is strong 1 through 9," Behr said. "There's no soft spot, nowhere an opposing pitcher can take a batter off. We can rattle off 5, 6, 7 hits in a row."
PANTHERS 12, GARDEN CITY 6 (G2) — Prendergast struck out two batters and retired a third batter on a groundout to preserve a 9-6 lead after the bases were loaded. Prendergast delivered a 3-run sixth-inning homer for a 12-6 victory.
The Buffaloes scored two run on four walks, a hit batter, passed ball and no play on a bunt.
"Chayla has nerves of steel, and works her way out of pickles," Behr said. "She said, 'Coach it's OK, I got it.' I love that about her. She got fired up, and hits a 3-run bomb. Chayla's the ultimate competitor. Fortunately, we get her another season."
Pinch-hitter Rydlie Swanson (.667), with four pinch hits, sparked a 3-run fifth inning with an RBI single followed by Katherine Mazouch's 2-run single.
"Swanson has a gift where no moment is too big," Behr said. "She gets her cuts with a nothing to lose mentality. To see the big smile is priceless."
Panther starter Braelyn Turner (10-0, 3.14 ERA) yielded a season high six earned runs with seven walks and a hit batter. Garden City's Ellie Konrade hit a 2-run homer.
"Garden hurt us with their bats when our pitchers fell behind in counts," Behr said. "We had to feed the plate with hitter's pitches."
Mazouch (.494) delivered three RBI.
PANTHERS 13, GARDEN CITY 3 (G1) — Panthers Denver Ringo (.500) and Kya Behr (.562) homered to spark a 10-hit attack.
"I was happy for Kya today," coach Behr said. "She had been struggling at the plate. We dropped her in the lineup three spots. She accepted the challenge and hit the ball extremely well."
Alyssa McCarthy (.414), Ringo, Behr and Prendergast each drove in two runs. The Panthers delivered five extra-base hits and scored seven second-inning runs and five times in the fourth.
Prendergast (11-0, 1.17 ERA) struck out six batters. She has 88 strikeouts in 712/3 innings. Buffalo Marisol Angeles hit a home run.
"Garden's a good hitting team," Behr said. "It's a testament to how hard our pitchers have been working. We'll keep working to get ahead in counts, so we can attack batters."
The Panthers are poised to clinch a home site for 5A postseason softball.
"These girls show energy and enthusiasm, super fun to watch," Behr said. "The girls enjoy it when the stands are packed with a great home crowd."
Garden City 101 01 — 3 7 4
Great Bend 070 51 — 13 10 2
Hamblin, Polson (2) and Peck. Prendergast and Koelsch. W—Prendergast, 11-1. L—Hamblin, 7-4. 2B—GB—Mazouch, Koelsch; GC Hamblin, Konrade, Ortiz. 3B—GB—Post. HR—GB—Ringo, Behr, GC—Angeles.
Garden City 202 002 0 — 6 7 1
Great Bend 051 033 x — 12 12 0
Hamblin, Zundt (2) and Peck. Turner, Prendergast (6) and Koelsch. W—Turner, 10-0. L—Hamblin, 7-5. 2B—GB—Ringo; GC—Konrade, Peck, Ortiz. HR—GB—Behr, Prendergast; GC—Peck.
