HAYS – The High High Indians dropped and 8-6 decision to Manhattan in Friday’s opening game of the Western Plains Diamond Classic. They came back to beat Great Bend 4-3 in eight innings in the final game of the day that didn’t end until after midnight.
Hays scored two in the first and two more in fourth and led 4-2 in their opener with the Indians. Manhattan came back with four in the fifth for a 6-4 lead then added two in the seventh for an 8-4 lead.
HHS scored took advantage of five walks in the bottom of the seventh to score two runs but left the bases loaded.
Garrett Wellbrock allowed eight runs, five earned, on 10 hits over 6 1/3 innings and took the loss.
Ben Krannawitter’s sacrifice fly scored Will Cadoret with the winning run in the late game against the Panthers. The Indians tied the game 3-3 on a Garrett Wellbrock groundout in the fifth.
The Panthers scored single runs in the second, third and fourth to grab a 3-2 lead.
Dalton Dale pitched two scoreless innings of relief and picked up the win. Carson Spray allowed all three runs on six hits with three walks an no strikeouts over the first six innings.
Manhattan beat Life Prep 3-2 and Great Bend defeated Life Prep 17-8 in the other games.
Hays High plays Life Prep Academy at 10:00 a.m. Saturday. Great Bend and Manhattan play at 1:00 p.m. The championship game is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. followed by the third place game at 5:15 p.m.