HAYS Already having a spot locked up in the semi-finals on Saturday, the AA Iola Indians matched up against Sabetha for their final match in pool play. Both teams were 2-0 heading into tonight, meaning the winner earned the number-one seed out of the AA pool.
The Indians struck first, and never relinquished the lead in route to a 9-4 victory.
Lead-off man Jackson Aikens reached on a walk to start off the Indians offensively. Isaac Vink followed with a single, which put runners on the corners. Kane Rogers brought home the first Indian run of the evening, to make the score 1-0 Iola after a half inning played.
Vink started the game for Iola on the mound, but did not last long. Head coach Jason Bauer wanted to keep Vink under 30 pitches to be available for Saturday when called upon. Vink lasted 1 2/3 innings, allowing one run and earning one strikeout.
With Sabetha earning a run in their first chance at the plate as well, the Indians stormed back in the second to retake the lead.
Iola started the third by loading the bases. Cal Leonard singled, Connor Havilands speed beat the throw after being mishandled by Sabethas shortstop, and Blake Ashmore reached on a walk to put three on with zero outs. Aikens followed with a blooper over Sabethas pitcher to bring Leonard across, and Vink walked to force Havilland home. The final run of the inning came courtesy of an RBI from Derek Bycroft, giving Iola the 4-1 lead.
Sabetha cut the lead to one after picking up two runs off Vinks reliever, Ethan Tavarez, but the Indians added one back in the fourth.
Iola loaded the bases after Tavarez singled, Aikens reached an error, and Vink was hit by a pitch. Despite having three runners on and no outs, the Indians didnt make the most of their opportunity. Iola added only one run after Rogers RBI fielders choice brought home pinch-runner Zach Beckmon.
We have to find a way to produce, Bauer said. I think we left 14 or 15 runners on base throughout the game. It is hard to win games when you leave runners on base like that. I know we scored nine runs, but it wasnt pretty.
Once again, Sabetha cut the lead to one, but the Indians got the insurance runs they need in their final chance at the plate.
Rogers and Zane Whitney both walked, and Leonards bunt down the third-base line loaded the bases. Next batter, Haviland, hammered a ball to the warning track in left field to allow Rogers to tag up from third. Tavarez cleared the bases with a two-RBI single down the right-field line to score Whitney and Leonard. Vink picked up an RBI single through the gap between the Sabetha third baseman and shortstop, making the score 9-4.
Tavarez continued an efficient day on the mound to close out Sabetha. The Indians starter allowed three runs to go along with six strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings of work.
Izzy (Tavarez) threw an amazing game today, Bauer said. He may see some time at the plate tomorrow, now that his bat starting to come alive. But on his pitching tonight, he battled the whole way through.
The 9-4 victory, and 3-0 record in pool play solidifies Iola as the number-one seed out of the AA pool. At the moment, The Indians are unaware of their opponent in tomorrows semi-final.
If Great Bend loses to Hays, then Hays will be the one seed, and Emporia the two seed from the AAA pool. If Great Bend were to beat Hays by more than six runs, then Great Bend would be the one seed, and Hays the two seed, ultimately eliminating Emporia.
