OSAWATOMIE — Iola American Legion’s AA Indians got a little revenge. The only team to beat the AA Indians this summer was Osawatomie Thursday in a doubleheader.
The Indians were back on the same field Saturday and went undefeated through the round-robin tournament hosted by Osawatomie. They did so by edging their hosts 1-0 in their third game of the day.
Levi Ashmore gave up four hits, walked one batter and struck out two. Ashmore and the Indians worked out of trouble four out of the five innings played. That included getting around a one-out walk in the top of the fifth to protect Iola’s 1-0 lead.
Iola scored a run without a hit. Drew Walden, back in the Indian lineup after missing a few games because of an injury, reached on an error in the second inning. Devon Conner was the courtesy runner and moved to third on a wild pitch and a passed ball. Corey Taylor drew a walk then Mason Coons had a ground-out to drive in the run.
Iola’s only hit of the game came right after that — a single by Dalton Smith.
The AA Indians defeated Paola 6-3 in the opener despite committing three errors. Jarred Latta was the winning pitcher, going four-plus innings. He was charged with three runs on four hits and three walks plus had three strikeouts.
Coons got the save coming on in relief in the fifth. Coons allowed one hit and struck out one.
Ashmore led the Iola offense with two singles. Jerrik Sigg doubled. Walden and Braden Larson each had a single. Iola led 6-0 going into the fifth.
Emporia scored a run in the first inning of Iola’s second game. Iola responded by plating eight runs in its half of the inning. The Indians added four more runs in the third and one in the fourth for a 13-3 run-rule victory.
Taylor went the distance on the mound for Iola. He gave up four hits, walked two, hit one batter and struck out four. Iola’s defense made three errors.
Conner connected for a single and a double and Latta hit two singles. Hitting a single each were Ashmore, Clint Heffern, Coons, Sigg, Walden and Larson.
Iola improved to 11-2 on the season. It goes to Fort Scott Tuesday.
Iola is scheduled to play its first home game Thursday against Ottawa.
