DODGE CITY — Both games were close in the baseball doubleheader.
Great Bend High School fell 4-3 in Game 1, but salvaged the split with an 8-7 win in Game 2.
“They were both very close games,” GBHS head coach Randy Beck said. “They were both pretty exciting. I was pleased with how we played.”
The Panthers struck first in the lidlifter, scoring a run in the top of the first.
Bryce Beck drew a walk and scored on a Shade Wondra sacrifice fly.
“We came out and started well,” Randy Beck said. “We scored first, which is important on the road, I think. The game was tight all the way through.”
Dodge City scored three runs in bottom of the inning, claiming the lead.
Great Bend’s Brady Michel drove in two runs with a double in the top of the third.
Dodge City retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth, making it 4-3.
Tristan Hall pitched for Great Bend, going all six innings.
He gave up four runs on four hits and eight walks. He struck out six batters.
“Tristan threw well,” Randy Beck said. “He wasn’t as sharp as he has been in his last couple of outings, but he definitely threw well enough for us to get a win.”
In Game 2, Dodge City scored a run in the bottom of the first.
Great Bend rolled in five runs in the top of the second, taking control of the game 5-1.
In the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, Dodge City climbed back to lead 6-5 heading into the final innings.
The Panthers managed three runs in the seventh, to take the lead and gave up one run in the bottom of the innings to hold on for the win.
“Come-from-behind wins are always exciting,” Randy Beck said. “It’s a real confidence booster. I thought we competed well at the plate. Our approach was better than the Hays games. We had quality at-bats.”
Jared Maneth went 2-4 with two RBIs.
Anson Hall, Beck and Wondra each had an RBI.

                                           — Kevin Price