The Hays High School baseball team had to battle through a lightning delay and a four-run rally in the sixth inning by the Great Bend Panthers, but the Indians pulled through in the final innings to win their home and conference opener for the seventh season in a row.
The Panthers entered the game outscoring their first three opponents, 41-6, but senior Tiger Johnson got the start on the mound for the Indians and was able to shut down Great Bend by getting six strikeouts and allowing only two hits through the first five innings.
Hays High got on base one time in each of the first two innings but could not bring anyone home. The Indians got their first runs of the game, as senior Johnny Cano hit the first home run of his career to left field to give Hays High a 2-0 lead. The Indians scored again in the fifth inning after Cano singled and got home.
After Great Bend started the sixth inning with a single from Slade Mohr, lightning could be seen beyond the trees in the outfield, which led to a 30-minute delay.
When the game returned to action, Cano took over the pitching duties from Johnson, who finished with six strikeouts and three hits allowed after 5.1 innings. But, Great Bend gained their first lead of the game, as they scored four straight runs, and Hays High brought senior Carter Graham in from third base to finish out the inning, getting the three outs that Hays High needed.
The Indians did not let this bother them, though, as junior Brett Rhoades and senior Trace Jacobs got base hits. Rhoades scored on a passed ball, and the courtesy runner for Jacobs scored after a balk from Great Bend pitcher Hunter Herrman.
The Panthers had the bases loaded in the final inning, but the Indians pulled through, as they got multiple fielders choice outs to secure the win.
For the Indians, it was a big game from Cano, who went three for three and finished with an RBI and two runs. Johnson led the Indians’ pitching crew, as he allowed only three hits in 5.1 innings and recorded six strikeouts on 65 pitches.
Great Bend’s starting pitcher Carson Umphres gave up three runs but was successful overall on the mound, as he also recorded six strikeouts and only allowed four hits in five innings. The Panthers top batter was Slade Mohr, who got on base three times with two base hits and a walk. He also scored a run, which was the first for Great Bend’s rally in the sixth inning.
Hays High is now 2-1 on the year, and they will be back in action today at Dodge City, which is the first of a seven-game road trip. Great Bend is now 3-1, and they are also on the road today for a doubleheader against the Pratt Greenbacks. The Indians and Panthers will meet again for a doubleheader in Great Bend on April 15.
