HAYS — Things did not start off well for the Great Bend High School baseball team, which opened the Hays High Diamond Classic on Thursday night against the host.
Hays enacted the run rule, winning 16-6 in the sixth inning.
“It was a rough game, on the mound and defensively,” GBHS head coach Randy Beck said. “This is definitely one you want to just forget about, especially since we have three games in the next two days.”
Great Bend had eight errors, allowing five unearned runs.
Anson Hall got the start, managing 1 1/3 innings. He allowed four runs on four hits and a walk. He had one strikeout.
Brady Michel took over the Hall, going 1 2/3 innings. He got pummeled for eight hits, but only gave up one earned run as the Panthers’ defense gave up six runs in the bottom of the second.
Michel had three walks and one strikeout.
Jack Westhoff went 2 2/3 innings, scattering five hits and giving up six earned runs. He allowed three walks.
But the time Great Bend managed to get on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth, it was already behind 10-0.
The Panthers scored two in the fourth and four in the sixth.
“Offensively, we had our moments,” Beck said. “On the bright side, we scored four runs in the sixth innings, all earned. We did a nice job stringing some hits together. That’s something to build on.”
Dillon Reiser went 3-3 to lead Great Bend. He had a double and crossed the plate twice.
Jared Maneth also had a multiple-hit game. He went 2-3 with two RBIs.
Shade Wondra had a triple and an RBI, and Matt Zecha had a double and two RBIs.
Hays scored five in the bottom of the sixth inning, ending the game.
Great Bend opens today’s competition in Hays against Goddard at 1 p.m. The Panthers also play Word of Life at 5:15.
Great Bend challenges Salina Central on Saturday at 12:30 to close out the tournament.

                                                 — Kevin Price