BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
Lightning may have delayed the Great Bend Panther softball team, but they delivered the thunder when play resumed after a 2-2 tie.
Great Bend forced a 2-2 tie when the game was delayed until 11 p.m. by lightning.
The prayers of Great Bend softball coach Shawn Behr were being answered after losing all-state pitcher Chayla Prendergast due to a foot injury.
Katherine Mazouch delivered a 2-run double. Kya Behr drilled an RBI double. Alyssa McCauey ripped an RBI single. Callie Umphres followed with an RBI double.
Turner's control issues handed the Hornets a 1-0 lead on a bases-loaded walk to P. Gibbs.
After eight Turner walks in four-plus innings, Panther coach Shawn Behr elected to bring in reliever Alyssa McCauley who proceeded to force a run home on a bases-loaded walk for a 2-0 Hornet lead.
PANTHERS 11, TOPEKA WEST 1 Great Bend's Alyssa Prendergast came to the rescue for her injured sibling Chayla Prendergast because that's what sisters do.
Alyssa Prendergast drilled a 2-run home run and contributed three shutout innings to spark the Panthers past Topeka West 11-1 in Wednesday's 5A softball regional.
Likely All-WAC Most Valuable Player Chayla Prendergast (12-1, 1.37 ERA) is sidelined with a foot injury.
Alyssa Prendergast's varsity debut was shocking. She relieved Panther starter Braelyn Turner (12-0, 2.95 ERA) after she walked five batters in three innings.
Great Bend's hot hitters provided all the support the Panthers required. Kya Behr and Katherine Mazouch each homered and drove home two runs.'
Camdyn Post, Alyssa McCauley, Callie Umphres drove home runs. Topeka West scored a first inning run.
Great Bend's defense played brilliantly. Catcher Mazouch threw out V. Tinoco on an attempted steal.
Topeka West 100 000 — 1 3 2
Great Bend 230 123 — 11 13 0
White, Briggs (4) and Jessepe. Turner, Alyssa Prendergast (4) and Koelsch. W—Turner, 12-0. 3B—GB—Turner. HR—GB—Mazouch, Alyssa Prendergast, Behr.
Valley Center 11 —
Great Bend 07 —
Gibbs, Reed (2) and Phinney. Turner, McCauley (2) and Mazouch.
5A GREAT BEND FINALS—1 Great Bend (24-1) vs. Valley Center (15-10); SEMIFINALSGreat Bend 11, Topeka West 1; Valley Center 7, Wichita Kapaun Mt. Carmel 4
