SALINA — The Great Bend High School softball team won both games of a triangular on Friday evening in Salina.
The Lady Panthers dropped Salina South 8-2 in Game 1, and pummeled McPherson7-1 in Game 2.
“Both teams, they were both great games,” GBHS head coach Carrie Minton said. “I think it was good for us to see someone different before we close out the season. They had a couple different pitchers with different pitching styles, and it was good for the girls to have that change of pace.”
In both games, Great Bend got out to early leads and held on with strong pitching and defensive performances.
Against South, the Lady Panthers scored two runs in the top of the first and five in the top of the second.
South didn’t get on the scoreboard until the bottom of the sixth on a two-run home run, but Great Bend already had eight runs and a strong hold on the game.
Hunter Middleton went the distance in the circle.
She gave up two runs on eight hits and two walks. She struck out 10 batters.
Elizabeth Barber led things offensively, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
Middleton drove in two runs and Kaylie Doll, Kelsie Doll and Kacee Kasselman each had one RBI.
“Against Salina South, we scored seven runs early,” Minton said. “In the second inning, they switched pitchers who did a good job battling and things calmed down a bit.
“We had a great game, defensively, behind Hunter. I think we only had one error.”
Against McPherson, Great Bend was up 6-0 after four innings, and both teams scored a run in the sixth.
Braylin Bretz worked the circle against McPherson, scattering six hits and giving up one walk and striking out one.
Offensively, Barber had three RBIs again, and Kasselman, Regan Unruh and Dakota Sanders, who had a solo home run, each had one RBI.
Great Bend, which is 15-1, travels to Maize on Tuesday and closes out the regular season on Thursday at Hutchinson.
 
                                                 — Kevin Price