Iola High’s Fillies were almost dormant at the plate Tuesday. But finally, like the spring flowers blooming, the Fillies pushed through late to win one of two games to open the softball season.
After a disappointing 2-1 loss to visiting Labette County High’s Grizzlies in the first game at Riverside Park Tuesday, the Fillies found themselves trailing 3-0 in the second game. Iola hammered out seven singles to score six runs in the sixth inning.
“In the first game, our girls just could not lay off the rise-ball pitch by Ali Reynolds of Labette County. It is something we’ve talked about leading up to the games,” said Vince Coons, Fillies’ head coach.
“Finally, message delivered. The girls were more patient and laid off the rise-ball in the second game. We put the ball in play and came alive in the sixth.”
With one gone, Brandi Preston was hit by a pitch and stole second base. Lyndsi Faulhaber singled and swiped second then Megan Cook and Molly Riebel delivered RBI singles.
Alex Hill was safe on a fielder’s choice and Kylee McKarnin knocked in the tying run on a ground-out. Amanda Carr singled in a run.
Lacy Sigg connected for a two-run base hit. Leah Weir and Preston each had a single.
Iola held Labette County to a two-run rally in the seventh to win 6-5. Alex Hill allowed six hits, walked one and hit one batter in the pitching victory. She struck out six.
The other hits in the game for Iola were a double by Hill and another single by Riebel.
“The girls did a great job of holding together to win the second game. Our bunt execution was a huge positive in the game allowing us to put pressure on the defense to score,” Coons said.
“In the first game, we couldn’t put pressure on Labette County’s defense because we didn’t get runners on base.”
Iola scored the first run in the first game. Weir singled and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Preston. Weir stole third and scored on an error.
The Fillies only had two other hits in the contest — a triple by Faulhaber and a single by Amanda Carr.
Labette County scored single runs in the fifth and sixth. The tying run scored on a wild pitch and the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice.
“We struck out 11 times in the game. We just weren’t patient enough,” Coons said.
Hill took the pitching loss as she gave up six hits, walked one and struck out five. Riebel is Iola’s new catcher and threw out two runners attempting to steal in the first game.
“Alex and Molly worked well together. We got better as the night went on,” Coons said.
The Fillies are 1-1 overall and in SEK action. They travel to Coffeyville for a league doubleheader Thursday.
Big inning lifts Fillies past Grizzlies
