EMPORIA — Iola American Legion Post 15’s AA Indians rolled through their first two games of the Emporia tournament over the weekend. They gave up just one run in those outings.
They had to halt a last inning rally by Beliot Sunday morning for a 5-4 win to reach the championship game. But Emporia AAA was too much for the Indians in the title game.
Iola (26-9) was held hitless in a 9-1 loss in five innings. The Indians scored in the third inning when Devon Conner was hit by a pitch and Jarred Latta walked. With one out, Clint Heffern’s sacrifice fly to center plated the run.
Ryan Latta and Dalton Smith pitched for Iola in the title game. They allowed eight hits and four walks. Emporia AAA scored six runs in the first inning.
The Indians decked the Wichita Blue Jays 10-1 to open the tournament. Ethan Ericson and Smith pitched. Mason Coons led the offense with two doubles and a single. Smith and Ryan Latta each had two singles. Corey Taylor doubled. Levi Ashmore and Heffern each had a base hit.
Iola shut out Emporia Red Devils 8-0. Jerrik Sigg went the distance on the mound, giving up two hits, three walks, hitting one batter and striking out eight.
Sigg also cranked out three singles. Ryan Latta had a single and a double and Smith hit two signles. Hitting a single each were Heffern, Taylor, Kris Collins and Ericson.
The Indians scored three runs in the fifth inning to take a 5-1 lead over Beloit. Ryan Latta and Smith each singled then Coons walked to load the bases. Collins drove in two runs with a single and Ericson doubled in a run.
Iola needed those as Beloit had a three-run home run after two were gone in the seventh to make it 5-4. Iola got a pop-up to end the inning and the game.
Ericson was the winning pitcher, allowing four hits and three walks. He hit a batter and struck out seven.
Ryan Latta ripped out two singles and a double for Iola. Ashmore had two base hits. Sigg and Ericson each doubled. Heffern, Taylor, Smith and Collins each had a single.
The AA Indians are the Kansas Amateur Baseball Association (KABA) South Division champions. The KABA league tournament begins tonight in Baldwin.
Iola, Ottawa, Osawatomie and host Baldwin have first-round byes. The double-elimination bracket begins Thursday.
Tonight’s games have Linn County at Paola, Spring Hill at Wellsville, Burlington at Fort Scott and Chanute at Garnett.
Iola AA takes 2nd
