BY JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

A hunch by Great Bend softball coach Shawn Behr turned into pure gold.

Pinch-hitter Rydlie Swanson delivered a game-winning double to spark the Panthers past Pratt 6-4 in Thursday's opening game. Katherine Mazouch singled home Mikayla Minton for a valuable sixth-inning insurance run 

"We felt Rydlie could handle that situation, and she delivered a huge hit for us to take the lead," coach Behr said.

Great Bend (8-0) completed Thursday's sweep with a 10-4 victory in the nightcap.

PANTHERS 6, PRATT 4 (G1) —Panther pitcher Chayla Prendergast (4-0, 1.46 ERA) was rocked by Pratt's Mica Stapleton for a 3-run homer and Madilyn Bolen added a home run. Prendergast shook off the two homers with nine strikeouts. She has 28 strikeouts in 24 innings.

"Chayla locked in, and shut down a good hitting line-up after the first inning," Behr said. "Our pitchers didn't have their best performances, but made in-game adjustments."

Panther catcher Kamryn Koelsch threw out Pratt's Cambridge Rector and Claire Jack at second base.

"Another sold job by Koelsch who nailed two runners," Behr said. "Having that defensive weapon helps control so many situations."

Stapleton's homer scored Addison Sowers and Savannah Copus. Kya Behr doubled home Camden Post, Alyssa McCauley's double scored Katherine Mazouch and Behr scored on a Callie Umphres double for a 3-3 tie after one inning.

Bolen's fifth-inning homer was matched by Mazouch (.393) who hit a fifth-inning round-tripper.

Denver Ringo (.590) singled off Pratt pitcher Copus in the sixth inning. With two out, Swanson pinch hit for Minton and doubled. Mazouch (.393) singled home Minton.

"Ringo is in the zone with a consistent night at the plate and defensively," Behr said.

PANTHERS 10, PRATT 4 (G2) — Kya Behr (.692) capped a 6-for-6 doubleheader with a double and three singles. All nine batters delivered a hit in a 16-hit attack.The Panthers opened with a 5-run first inning.

"Kya had a hot bat. She laid down a perfect slap bunt to first, who was playing deep," Behr said. "She has a knack to read a defense."

Panther pitcher Braelyn Turner (4-0, 2.55 ERA) struck out four batters.

"Braelyn fixed her delivery issues and closed in fantastic fashion," Behr said. "They ended in command of the strike zone."

Koelsch (.390) led the way a pair of doubles and three RBI. Umphres (.391) drove home two runs with a pair of singles. Camdyn Post (.448), McCauley (.444), Ringo and Turner also drove home runs.

"Camdyn Post puts pressure on a defense with her ability to run, and handle the bat," Behr said. "She shows ability to flip to the left side, to apply pressure on the defense. Post and Ava Kaiser made plays for their pitchers.

"Umphres is hitting the ball to all fields and an RBI machine.".

Pratt's Sydney Riley drove in two runs. Hope Hughes and Stapleton each drove home a run.

Pratt 300 010 0 — 4 7 1

Great Bend 300 012 x — 6 9 1

Copus and Stapleton. Prendergast and Koelsch. W—Prendergast, 4-0. L—Copus, 1-1. 2B—GB—Behr, Umphres. HR—GB—Mazouch; P Stapleton, Bolen.

Pratt 031 000 0 — 4 5 1

Great Bend 511 300 x 10 16 1

Winklepleck and Stapleton. Turner and Koelsch. W—Turner, 4-0. L—WInklepleck, 1-1. 2B—GB—Koelsch 2, Behr, McCauley; P—Copus.

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