BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

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.

VALLEY CENTER 2, PANTHERS 0 (2ND) — 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.

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 00

Gibbs 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