Chiefs lose to Creighton Prep

OMAHA, Neb. – The Great Bend Legion Chiefs staged their patented late-inning rally against Nebraska state baseball champion Creighton Prep, Neb.

But Creighton Prep stranded the tying and go-ahead runners on base to earn a hard-fought 2-0 baseball victory over the Chiefs Friday.

The Chiefs loaded the bases as Brice Kaiser singled and Townshend Kurth and Colin Hall walked. Creighton Prep pitcher P.J. Loucks retired Riley Smith and Joey Soupiset on infield pop flies and struck out Cal Kaiser.

Creighton Prep won its third consecutive Class A state baseball title 7-2 over Millard South this spring. Prep has captured 12 state baseball titles. The Chiefs were the Kansas AAA state baseball runner-up last year.

Chiefs pitcher Colin Hall threw a masterful game with 59 pitches in six innings with no walks. Creighton Prep pitcher Max Mandel threw 78 pitches in six innings and struck out seven batters.

Evan Laney singled home Nate Witkowski after he reached on a third-inning infield error. Eric Allberry scored a sixth-inning run on a sacrifice fly by Luke Krzemien after a single, stolen base and sacrifice.

GB Chiefs 000 000 0 – 0 3 2

C. Prep 001 001 x – 2 5 1

Hall and Jesus Bujanda. Mandel, Loucks (7) and Richter. W—Mandel. L—Hall.