BYJIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

GARDEN CITY — Garden City scored two first-inning unearned runs thanks to two errors to lead defending Western Athletic Conference softball champion Great Bend 2-0.

The Panthers responded with an 8-run fourth inning to roll past the Buffaloes 11-2. The Panthers (19-1, 10-0 WAC) swept their 26th consecutive league victory.

Prendergast overcame two fielding errors, a walk and a misplayed bunt with nine strikeouts. Prendergast (10-1, 1.08 ERA) has 78 strikeouts in 642/3 innings.

"They jumped out early taking advantage of our nerves," said Great Bend coach Shawn Behr. "They got us down 2-0."

Denver Ringo homered off Garden City pitcher Brylee Hamblin (7-3, 2.52 ERA) before the Panthers exploded in an 8-run fourth inning ignited by four walks.

"We needed to come out and blow it open," Behr said. "Our team responded in a big way, and answered the call. If we let the other team maintain a lead into the late innings, the harder it would be to overcome the deficit."

The four walks fueled the big inning. Ringo's double scored Alyssa McCauley and Jaya Stroup. Ringo scored on Camdyn Post's sacrifice fly. Braelyn Turnr and Baze Hogan scored on Kya Behr's single.

McCauley's double scored Katherine Mazouch and Behr. Prendergast's double scored McCauley for a 9-2 lead. Eight Panthers delivered a hit.

"When 'Chay' got the lead, you see it in her eyes — she was going to close them out," Behr said.

The Panthers added two runs. Mazouch scored on McCauley's sacrifice fly that gave her three RBI. Rydlie Swanson doubled and pinch runner Stroup scored on Turner's groundout.

Behr paid homage to leadoff better Camdyn Post, who ignites the lineup.

"Camdyn Post has been amazing at leadoff. I love the way she hits with power, torches outfielders, and hits gaps," Behr said. "When she lights a spark in that No 1 spot, the lineup catches fire."

Garden City (9-9, 5-1 WAC) must sweep Great Bend Thursday to prevent the Panthers' potential celebration.

"Good teams may split, but 'great teams' sweep," Behr said.

Great Bend 010 801 1 — 11 9 1

Garden City 200 000 0 — 2 7 0

Prendergast and Koelsch. Hamblin, Polson (4) and Peck. W—Prendergast, 10-1. L—Hamblin, 7-3. 2B—GB—McCauley, Prendergast, Ringo, Mazouch, Swanson. HR—GB—Ringo.

WAC SOFTBALL

Great Bend 10-0 19-1

Garden City 5-1 9-9

Hays High 4-5 7-10

Dodge City 0-6 3-13

Liberal 0-7 4-11

4-28—Great Bend 11, Garden City 2; Dodge CIty 18-19, Wichita 0-3

4-30—Garden City at Great Bend (2); Hays at Hays TMP; Liberal at Cimarron; Dodge CIty at Wichita South

5-1—Dodge City at Wichita North