BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

DODGE CITY — Great Bend pitcher Chayla Prendergast threw the Panthers sixth shutout with a dominating 13-0 victory over Dodge City in Tuesday's Western Athletic Conference softball game.

Prendergast (6-0, .097 ERA) threw a 1-hitter with 11 strikeouts.

"The umpire made Chayla find the plate," said Panther coach Shawn Behr. "She adapted and was effective."

Alyssa McCauley (.390) doubled and drove home three runs. Kamryn Koelsch (.378) doubled and drove in three runs.

Katherine Mazouch (.425), Denver Ringo (.419), Callie Umphres (.400) and Camdyn Post (.415) each drove in a run.

"Umphres, McCauley and Mazouch were locked in at the plate,' Behr said. " They absolutely smoked the ball to the gaps."

Another highlight was Bailey Kelly doubling for her first varsity hit.

"Our girls are stepping up and making the most of their opportunities," he said. "The girls have done an amazing job when the time comes for them to contribute."

The defending WAC champion Panthers face Derby (10-0), Maize South (6-2), Wichita Northwest (4-4) and Wichita East (2-4) Friday/Saturday at Dodge City.

"It's a huge weekend ahead," Behr said. "It will tell us how prepared the first half has gotten us. Then, it's' a two week race with Hays and Garden for the WAC title."

Great Bend 460 21 — 13 10 0Dodge City 000 00 — 0 1 6Prendergast and Koelsch. W—Prendergast, 6-0. L—Harris. 2B—GB—McCauley, Kelly, Umphres, Koelsch. 3B—GB—Post.