OTTAWA — As hot as the weather all weekend, Iola American Legion Post 15’s AA Indians won five straight games, winning Ottawa’s Bob Coffin Invitational tournament.
The Indians ended their blistering match through the tournament with a 10-1 bashing of Wellsville in the championship game. Ethan Ericson, Moran, pitched a three-hitter for the Indians. He walked three and struck out 13.
Iola scored four runs in the third. With the bases loaded, Jerrik Sigg’s double drove in three runs and he scored on a ground-out by by Corey Taylor.
In the fourth inning, Ryan Latta had a two-run single, putting the Indians up 6-1. Iola added a run in the fifth and three more in the sixth.
Ryan Latta had two singles in the game. Sigg doubled. Clint Heffern and Dalton Smith each had a single.
“The kids battled in the games. They never gave up when we were behind,” said Mike Taylor, Iola AA head coach. “We finally played well in the final game.”
The tournament had a field of 15 teams in three pools. Iola was the only team to go undefeated in pool play in the event that stretched across Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Iola AA improved to 6-1 on the season. The Indians go to Wellsville Thursday then hold their own tournament Saturday and Sunday at Allen County Community College.
Iola pulled out a 10-9 win over host Ottawa. Ericson struggled on the mound Friday, allowing six runs on four hits, three walks and one hit batter. He struck out three before giving way to Jarred Latta.
Jarred Latta got the win as he worked 2 2/3 innings. The Indians scored six runs in the fourth to tie the game then got the go-ahead run in the fifth. They scored three insurance runs in the sixth.
Jarred Latta was charged with three runs on three hits and three walks and struck out two. He worked out of a bases-loaded, no- out situation in a scoreless fourth.
Sigg picked up the save in the sixth. He came on to strike out the only batter he faced with two gone and two on for Ottawa.
Three straight errors by Ottawa helped the Indians in the fourth inning. Ryan Latta had a two-run single.
A base hit by Heffern plated two of the three runs in the sixth for Iola. Heffern had two singles in the game. Drew Walden’s base hit was the only other hit.
The Indians posted a 5-1 win over Turner next. Dalton Smith, one of two Iola AA players from Yates Center, was the winning pitcher. He limited Turner to four hits, issued three walks and hit a batter. Smith struck out nine.
Austin Knoblock is the other Yates Center player on the team.
Sigg had two hits and Mason Coons doubled. Hitting a single each were R. Latta, Walden and Kris Collins.
Iola pushed past Garnett 8-4. Sigg, Coons and Ashmore pitched for the Indians.
The Indians turned three hits, an error and two walks into five runs in the second innings. They got three runs in the third much the same way.
Jarred Latta cranked out two singles for Iola. Ashmore, R. Latta, Smith, Walden and Coons each had a single.
Iola had to come from behind for an 11-10 win over K.C. Crush. The Crush scored eight runs in the first inning. It lead 8-5 after the first frame.
Iola scored three runs in the second two tie it and one in the third. Each team scored two runs in the fifth. The time limit ran out with Iola batting in the sixth and leading.
Ashmore got the win in relief of starter Corey Taylor. Ashmore pitched 4 2/3 innings and had five strikeouts.
Jarred Latta and Ashmore each had two singles. Walden doubled. Sigg, Taylor, Smith and Coons each hit a single.
Iola AA captures tourney title
