FORT SCOTT — When Post 15 is playing its best baseball, it coincides with the team having its most fun.
Monday’s sweep over Fort Scott demonstrated just that as the Iola Indians had plenty of fun en route to 12-4 and 7-2 wins. Some of that fun came with Nic Zimmerman on the bases.
“When he’s catching, we have somebody run for him, but in the second game he was just our designated hitter,” Indian coach Rick Vink said. “He was very entertaining on the bases tonight and had fun with it. He kept us all entertained.”
Zimmerman has emerged as a leader on the Post 15 team. Despite not getting a lot of playing time with the Iola High School varsity team this season, Zimmerman has become the starting catcher for Iola during the American Legion season and has been a consistent offensive producer from the No. 3-spot in the batting order.
“Nic has always been a kid that can hit the ball,” Vink said. “It doesn’t matter the pitcher.”
In addition to his antics on the base path, Zimmerman was a standout at the dish in both games. With six plate appearances between the two games, Zimmerman reached base four times. In game two, he recorded his first steal of the season.
Iola ran wild on the base path the entire game, and in addition to Zimmerman’s steal, the Indians came up with 12 more. Keanen Badders (3), Ethan Sigg (3), Daylon Splane (2), Ethan Tavarez, Justice Pugh, Isaac Vink and Derek Bycroft also had steals.
Splane, Tavarez, Sigg and Badders led the offensive performance in game one. Tavarez was 3-for-3 and the other three had two hits apiece.
“They are all capable hitters,” Coach Vink said. “They definitely hit the ball tonight and gave us a lift.”
Bycroft and Isaac Vink each started a game on the mound and while Vink only allowed one earned run in four innings, Bycroft one-upped his buddy with a complete-game, five-inning performance allowing no earned runs.
“Isaac started the first game and we had an error that allowed them to score three runs in the first inning, but the rest of the game he shut them down,” Coach Vink said. “Derek had a great high school season and we’ve kind of eased him into Legion ball, but he went out and threw a complete game in the second game and that is what we expect out of those kids.”
UP NEXT
Iola returns to Allen County on Wednesday to host Ottawa at Humboldt.
