GARNETT — Iola American Legion’s AA Indians got back into the swing of things Tuesday night after a week off.
The AA Indians combined for 26 hits in two games. They run-ruled host Garnett twice — 15-4 in six innings and 21-4 in three innings.
Neither game was in doubt.
Iola had a 2-1 lead then scored seven runs in the third inning in the opener. Garnett scored three runs in the fourth. The drama came in the sixth inning of the game.
With bases loaded, Braden Larson cranked out a grand slam but officially it is recorded as a triple. A protest by the Garnett coach brought a ruling by the umpire that one of the Iola base runners did not step on home plate. Iola scored six runs in the inning and won 15-4.
Jarred Latta was the Iola starting pitcher and went 3 1/3 innings. Latta was charged with four runs on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts. Levi Ashmore finished the game, allowing two hits and striking out two.
Ashmore had three singles and Larson had a single and a triple. Clint Heffern and Corey Taylor each had two singles. Jerrik Sigg tripled. Mason Coons and Devon Conner each hit a double and Kris Collins had a single.
The Indians pounded out another 13 hits in the nightcap. They scored 11 runs in the first inning on their way to the 21-4 decision.
Coons was the winning pitcher. He limited Garnett to three hits, walked two and struck out two.
Dalton Smith was 4-for-4 at the plate with three singles and a double plus drove in six runs. Heffern connected for two singles and a double.
Larson had a single and a triple while Sigg singled and doubled. Conner hit a double. Taylor and Coons each had a base hit.
Iola AA (8-0) plays at Osawatomie Thursday. It returns to Osawatomie on Saturday for a two-day tournament.
The Indians play their first home game of the season on June 21 when they host Ottawa at Allen Community College’s ball field.
