GARNETT — The Post 15 Indians showed that they can win in a variety of ways during their sweep in Garnett on Thursday.
In game one, Garnett built a 6-2 lead after three innings.
Isaac Vink got a rusty start for Iola in his first Legion action for the season.
Vink finished with 2 2/3 innings pitched and allowed six runs — five earned — on 10 hits.
“We went with Isaac to begin the game,” Iola coach Rick Vink said. “He hadn’t pitched in about a month, after he didn’t pitch much in high school ball. He threw pretty well, but they hit pretty well and we missed some plays we could have made. He didn’t walk a batter though.”
Cal Leonard took over for Vink in the third inning and kept the Indians in the game while the team’s offense struggled to regain any momentum.
“Cal kept us in the game,” Vink said. “I kept telling the kids, ‘It isn’t over. We are going to start hitting.’”
Two innings passed and the score remained 6-2 entering the sixth inning.
Clutch hitting by two batters, who had experienced the most offensive struggles near the end of the high school season, gave the team a jolt in the top of the sixth.
With two outs and Lance Daniels on first, Kane Rogers laced a double to center field and Daniels scored to get the Indians within three runs.
“I feel a little more relaxed and a little more comfortable,” Rogers said. “I’m seeing more pitches and I feel really good out there.”
After Leonard drew a walk, Ben Cooper came to the plate. Cooper’s batting average was below the .200 mark for much of Mustangs’ high school season.
With the Legion season starting, that gives Cooper a clean slate and he embraced that opportunity by planting a single into right field and scoring Rogers while Leonard scampered to third.
The Indians attempted to steal another run with a double steal a batter later.
Cooper broke for second and drew a throw. After the throw was released, Leonard attempted to steal home. Garnett wasn’t caught off-guard, however, and easily threw out Leonard.
Leonard kept the momentum going with his strong pitching through and turned in a 1-2-3 sixth inning to keep the Indians within 6-4.
“We had been struggling, but Cal came in and held his own,” Rogers said. “He helped us a lot.”
After an out to begin the inning, Vink and Blake Ashmore each collected their third hits of the game to set the table for third baseman Derek Bycroft to rope a double into center field, plate both runners and tie the game at 6-6.
“It is nice to see Isaac and Derek getting hot again,” Vink said.
After Garnett was able to record a second out, the suddenly-clutch Indians struck again.
Daylon Splane walked and Ethan Tavarez got what would end up being in game-winning hit with a double to left field that scored Splane and Bycroft.
Rogers connected on his second RBI double of the day to give Iola a 9-6 lead going into the bottom of the seventh.
“It felt good to lift my team up with a couple doubles and get that win,” Rogers said.
That was more than enough for Leonard who turned in another 1-2-3 inning and finished his 4 1/3 shutout innings with only one hit and no walks.
GAME TWO
In the second game, Cooper took the mound for the first time in an Indians’ uniform. The Iola graduate is taking this opportunity to play one more season with his high school teammates.
“I wanted to get one more taste of competitive sports,” Cooper said. “In the past, we’ve always had football and basketball and I focused on those. It is good to get out here and play with my brothers.”
The Second Team All-State selection was very strong despite allowing a run in the first inning.
“I feel like we are nine-deep on this team with our pitching,” Vink said. “My challenge is going to be to get guys enough innings. It is tough, but we will have some tournaments where we are going to need everybody. I am really happy with where we are at.”
Cooper finished the five-inning game with just the one run allowed on two hits with two strikeouts and a pair of walks. The Indians took a 3-1 win with their offense rallying again.
“I felt really good,” Cooper said. “I feel like I’m good to go for the rest of the season. My arm feels good.”
The Indians tied the game in the second inning when Splane doubled to score Daniels.
The Indians took the lead in the third inning when Daniels hit a two-out, two-run triple — his second triple of the day — to score Vink and Bycroft.
Cooper took it from there and silenced the Garnett bats for the remainder of the game to secure the 3-1 victory.
“The second game was the script of the high school season,” Vink said. “We had great pitching and defense, and we found a way to get enough hits.”
UP NEXT
The Indians faced Howard at home on Friday. For a full recap of that action, check out Monday’s Register.
The Indians next games will be next Friday and Saturday in the Chanute Tournament.
