BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
HAYS — When Great Bend's DeShawnna Bryant faced Hays High pitcher Riley Dreher, Bryant proved why 2025 is the Year of the Panther.
Bryant launched a game-clinching 3-run homer that finished an 11-5 victory over the defending Western Athletic Conference softball champions. The Panthers scored 10 earned runs off Hays All-WAC pitcher Dreher, who has started 37 games in four years.
"Anytime you are facing a pitcher you’ve seen before, the confidence level goes up a little," said Great Bend coach Carrie Minton. "Just having an idea on what to expect in the box helps.
"Our entire lineup has done a tremendous job of hitting the ball," Minton said. "We've done a great job of getting baserunners on early which puts more pressure on opposing pitchers and their defense."
Great Bend pitcher Chayla Prendergast yielded one earned run with three runners scoring after walks and one on an error. Prendergast (8-2, 3.01 ERA) has permitted 28 earned runs in 65 innings. The second game will be played Monday at Hays.
"Our pitchers have done a tremendous job," Minton said. "Chayla has been outstanding against Hays."
Great Bend saved Prendergast with two key defensive plays. Centerfielder Camdyn Post saved a run wiath a leaping catch of Alyse Zimmerman at the fence. First baseman Alyssa McCauley threw out Adalie Kipps at third base for a double play on Dreher's sixth-inning groundball.
"We had great defense behind Chayla, making some outstanding plays," Minton said. "That creates some excitement and energy, which then carries over to our bats. Having a defense that can make great plays also elevates the level of confidence our pitchers have."
The Panthers (14-4, 8-0 WAC) lead the Indians (9-6, 4-3 WAC) and Garden City (11-2, 4-1 WAC) for the WAC title.
The Panthers jumped to a 4-0 lead after 31/2 innings.
Prendergast made Kamryn Koelsch's sacrifice bunt pay off with a 2-run double to score Callie Umphres and McCauley (batting .553) after back-to-back singles. Prendergast scored when Katherine Mazouch drew a throw from catcher Avery Solida for a 3-0 lead. Kya Behr (batting .553) singled home Post for a 4-0 lead.
Katie Klein's single scored pinch runner Davis in the fourth inning. Koelsch's homer made it 5-1.
Two walks and an error led to a 3-run Hays inning. Zimmerman singled in Dreher. Brynlee Brouse singled home Lauren Klein and Zimmerman.
Two Hays errors paved the way for a 3-run Panther sixth inning. Mazouch scored on a dropped infield pop up, Post scored on an Umphres' fly ball. McCauley singled home Behr for an 8-5 lead.
Bryant crushed the Indians' hopes with a 2-out, 3-run blast that scored Prendergast and Behr.
The Panthers did a solid job putting the ball into play with two strikes.
"These girls are determined to do their job at the plate, whether it’s getting on base or moving runners," Minton said. "With two strikes they continue to battle at the plate and try to find a pitch that they can put in play."
Great Bend 030 113 3— 11 17 1
Hays High 000 131 0 — 5 6 3
Prendergast and Koelsch. Dreher and Solida. W— Prendergast, 8-2. L— Dreher, 4-3. 2B—GB—Prendergast; H—Zimmerman. HR—GB—Bryant, Koelsch.
WAC SOFTBALL
Great Bend 8-0 14-4
Garden City 4-1 11-2
Hays High 4-3 9-6
Liberal 0-6 5-9
Dodge City 0-6 0-14
4-24—Great Bend 11, Hays 5; Garden City 7-12, Liberal 4-10
4-25—Hays TMP 10, 10, Dodge City 0-0
MONDAY—Great Bend at Hays (1)
TUESDAY—Garden City at Great Bend (1); Dodge City at Pratt
THURSDAY—Great Bend at Garden City (2); Hays at Hays TMP; Cimarron at Liberal; Dodge City at Wichita South
GREAT BEND (8-0, 14-4)—WW Dodge City 18-17, 3-0; WW Hutchinson 7-6, 12-0; W Manhattan 16-2; L McPherson 5-11; WW Pratt 16-11, 7-5; W Liberal 11-2; WW Liberal 17-6; 10-6; W Dodge City 16-1; L Goddard Eisenhower 3-8; L Maize South 0-11; L Derby 1-4; W Wichita Northwest 6-2; W Hays High 10-0; W Hays High 11-5; 4-28—at Hays (1); 4-29—Garden City (1); 5-1—at Garden City (2); 5-9—at DH; 5-15—Newton (2)
GARDEN CITY (4-1, 11-2)—WW Scott City 19-3, 15-0; WW Goodland 10-0, 10-1; WL Hays High 7-6, 6-13; W Derby 1-0, W Wichita NW 16-0; W Goddard Eisenhower 6-5; L Maize South 0-16; WW Liberal 12-2; W Liberal 7-4, 12-10; 4-29—at Great Bend (1); 5-1—Great Bend (2); 5-6—Dodge City (2); 5-8—at Dodge City (2); 5-9—DH; 5-10—DH; 5-13—Hays High (1)
HAYS HIGH (4-3, 9-6)—WW Olathe East 9-3, 10-5; WW Junction City 6-2, 5-0; W Dodge City 15-0; WW Dodge City 15-0, 15-0; WL Garden City 13-6, 6-7; L Goddard Eisenhower 1-9; L Derby 1-12; L Maize South 0-12; W Wichita Northwest 16-0; L Great Bend 0-10; L Great Bend 5-11; 5-1—Hays TMP (2); 5-6—at Liberal (2); 5-8—Liberal (1); 5-13—at Garden City (1); 5-15—Manhattan (2)
LIBERAL (0-6, 5-9)—WW Colby 17-2, 14-2; W Hesston 6-4; L Halstead 3-4; L Great Bend 2-11; LL Great Bend 6-17, 6-10; L McPherson 0-15, Maize 0-13; WW Hugoton 21-2, 21-2; L Garden City 2-12; LL Garden City 4-7, 10-12; 5-1—Cimarron (2); 5-5—SW Heights (2); 5-6—Hays High (2); 5-8—at Hays High (1); 5-13—at Dodge City (2); 5-15—Dodge City (1)
DODGE CITY (0-6, 0-14)—LL Great Bend 3-18, 0-17; LL Salina Central 0-15, 0-15; L Hays High; LL Hays High 0-15, 0-15; L Great Bend 1-16; L Wichita NW 6-10; L Derby 0-18; L Goddard Eisenhower 0-17; L Maize South 0-20; LL Hays TMP 2-17, 1-18; 4-29—at Pratt (2); 5-1—at Wichita South; 5-2—Wichita Heights; 5-6—at Garden City (2); 5-8—Garden City (2); 5-13—Liberal (2); 5-15—at Liberal (1)
