HUMBOLDT — It took late-game drama, but the A Iola Indians were successful in snapping their three-game losing streak on Tuesday against the Montgomery County Cardinals.
Iola dropped both of its games on Saturday against the Salina Hawks 16U, and didn’t fare any better versus the Cardinals in game 1, losing 4-2. However, the Indians made up for their loss in the second-leg, winning 4-3.
The Indians and the Cardianls were quite familiar heading into Tuesday’s contest. In the four previous meetings, Iola stood at 3-1 versus Montgomery County. Last time out, Iola won both games 10-4 and 14-7.
Lefty Trevor Church featured on the mound in game 1, striking out three while allowing four hits in his five-inning appearance.
Errors were an issue for the Indians early on, allowing extra runners on through defensive mishaps. All four of Montgomery County’s runs were unearned, and the Cardinals enjoyed a 4-0 lead heading into the third.
Iola mustered two hits versus the Cardinals’ four. Carter Hutton got Iola on the board with an RBI to score Eli Adams in the third. Two innings later, Gavin Page capped the Indians with a sacrifice fly.
In game 2 the Indians displayed a different fighting spirit. Ryker Curry was not up to his usual standard on the mound, but was still efficient. In five innings of work, Curry finished with six strikeouts, five walks, and two earned runs.
The Cardinals opened the scoring with a run in each of the first three innings. Iola earned a run back in the third, and kept their foot on the pedal from that point on.
With the bases loaded for Church in the fourth, the Crest Lancer delivered with an RBI single to bring the Indians within one. After Eli Smith made it home safely on a wild pitch, Page gave the Indians the lead with an RBI single to center field.
Eli Adams held things down on the mound for the final two innings by letting his defense do the work. The win moves Iola to 26-12 on the season.
