Thursday was an absolute slugfest for the AA Iola Indians against Yates Center at Riverside Park. Iola scored 28 runs in the doubleheader, with neither game reaching the fifth inning due to the run-rules in place.
Surprisingly, the Indians trailed during the second inning in game 1, which has been a common occurrence this summer according to head coach Jason Bauer.
“They think that since they are playing a team they believe isn’t very competitive, that we can walk out there and just win,” Bauer said. “I’ve been saying this over and over, that we have to come out and be ready to play.”
Usually on point from the start, Crest graduate Zach Beckmon failed to get in an early groove on the mound in game 1. A single and two walks propelled YC to a 1-0 lead entering the bottom of the first, but Iola quickly tied the game with a sacrifice fly from Brady Wiggin.
YC continued to chip away at Beckmon, garnering another run off three singles and a walk in the second inning to lead 2-1. A perfectionist, Beckmon was unhappy with two earned runs through two innings, so he made up for it with his brand new bat.
“He (Beckmon) got a new bat, and put it on his Snapchat that his old bat was for sale,” Bauer said. “People were roasting him saying that the old bat had a lot of hits left in it because he didn’t use them all. But, he came out and swung the new bat tonight.”
After hearing the friendly chirps from his teammates, Beckmon showcased his brand-new bat with two home runs in the second inning. The first, a two-run shot to left field, and the second, a three-run blast to dead-center field. The Indians scored 11 runs in the second to lead 12-2 entering the third.
Beckmon, who hasn’t been at his best at the plate this season, gave his new bat the credit.
“I didn’t even take batting practice with it before the game,” Beckmon said. “I really think I haven’t done that well this summer because I’ve been swinging a 32” instead of 33”. It could be a mental thing, but I really think it was because my bat wasn’t long enough.”
Beckmon will attend Southwestern Community College in Iowa this fall, and it’s a sure bet that bat will go with him.
“Maybe the new bat gave him confidence, but he squared the bat up tonight,” Bauer said. “He has gotten a lot better since he joined us last summer.”
After two strikeout and a scoreless third, Beckmon and the Indians sealed the deal in the third. Poor pitching by Yates Center created six walks for Iola. The Indians cruised to an 18-2 victory.
Game 2 was more of the same from Beckmon and the Indians. Beckmon opened the scoring with a two-RBI double, and Wiggin added a two-RBI double of his own to give Iola an early edge. An RBI from Jackson Aikins and a sacrifice fly courtesy of Ryker Curry gave the Indians a 6-0 lead after two innings.
Bradyn Cole featured for the Indians, tossing the complete four-inning game. The Iola High senior finished with three strikeouts, allowing two hits, and no runs.
Holding an 8-0 lead entering the fourth, all Iola needed was two runs to secure the run-rule victory. Aikins provide the winning hit with an RBI single, handing Iola the 10-0 win.
