SABETHA — Yet, again, Iola AA Indians came from behind to win.
Facing the two-time defending state champions, Iola American Legion Post 15’s Indians used the final three innings of Thursday’s second-round contest to edge the Pratt 86ers 7-6.
Iola’s win put it in Friday’s winners bracket game of the 2012 Kansas American Legion AA State Baseball Tournament. The Indians, who improved to 39-3, played the Hays Monarchs at Friday night in Sabetha.
If Iola won, the Indians moved into this afternoon’s championship game at 2 o’clock at Somerset Park. If the Indians lost Friday, they play at noon today in the losers bracket final and would have to win twice today to force a deciding championship game Sunday at 10 a.m.
On Thursday night, Pratt’s 86ers appeared on their way to a victory. B.J. Dean hit a two-run home run in the first inning and his pitching was keeping Iola’s offense very quiet. Pratt added two more runs in the third to lead 4-0.
Iola finally got on the scoreboard in the fifth inning. Dalton Smith was hit by a Dean pitch then moved to second on a balk by Dean. Braden Larson’s fielder’s choice pushed Smith to third then Kris Collins had an RBI sacrifice bunt.
The Indians’ starting pitcher Jarred Latta lasted five innings. He was charged with four runs on five hits and one walk and struck out five.
Trent Latta, who was pulled up to the AA team from Iola’s A team this week, came on in relief and pitched a scoreless sixth. He walked two batters but Iola turned a double play to get out of trouble.
The Indians chased Dean from the mound in the sixth inning.
Trailing 4-1, Clint Heffern drew a walk to open Iola’s sixth and two passed balls had Heffern on third base. Jerrik Sigg was walked and Dean was replaced by Giles Fox on the mound for Pratt.
Drew Walden greeted the new pitcher with an RBI single. Corey Taylor’s sacrifice fly moved runners up on the bases and Smith’s sacrifice fly drove in a run. Larson connected for a base hit to drive in the tying run then was thrown out at second trying to stretch his hit into a double.
The AA Indians had pulled even with the 86ers — 4-4 — at the end of the six innings.
Levi Ashmore took over on the mound for Iola in the top of the seventh. A leadoff walk combined with a single and a double by the 86ers put Pratt up 6-4.
Then it was Iola’s turn.
With one gone, Mason Coons reached on a dropped third strike to keep things alive for Iola and ended up at second on a wild pitch. Ashmore’s fly-ball out moved Coons to third. Iola was down to its final out and still trailed by two.
