HAYS — It was a struggle to get baserunners around as the Great Bend High School baseball team challenged Hays on the road.
The Panthers only managed one run in the doubleheader, falling 6-1 in Game 1 and 5-0 in Game 2.
“In Game 1, we left several people stranded,” GBHS head coach Randy Beck said. “We left six guys on base in that first game.
“Offensively, we need to improve our approach at the plate. We need to start swinging at good pitches in the zone.”
In the first game, Hays scored two runs in the second inning and two more in the fourth to put the Panthers in a hole.
Great Bend scored its lone run in the top of the fifth.
Logan Zecha got on base with a single and was moved ahead by a sacrifice fly from Bryce Beck.
Zecha scored on a passed ball.
Logan Zecha, Matt Zecha, Shade Wondra and Jaxx  Hillman each went 1-for-3 for Great Bend’s only four hits. Hillman had a double.
Bryce Beck took the mound, going five innings.
He allowed eight hits and two walks while striking out four batters.
Wondra pitched the final inning, giving up one hit and one walk.
In Game 2, a couple of errors dug a deep hole early on for Great Bend as Hays scored all five runs in the bottom of the first.
Tristan Hall pitched a complete game for Great Bend.
He allowed six hits and two walks. He had three strikeouts.
All five of Hays’ runs were unearned.
“(Tristan’s) last few outings, he’s locked it in,” Randy Beck said. “He’s really pitched well. He’s pitched his way out of a few jams in those outings. He’s got a couple of pitches in the zone, and his changeup has really been his bread and butter.
“Really both pitchers pitched well. Bryce did a good job for his first game back. He gave up a couple doubles but overall, he threw pretty well.”

                                           — Kevin Price