Iola American Legion Post 15’s Indians split a home doubleheader with Burlington Thursday.
Iola’s Mark Bristol drove in three runs in a 5-1 win in the opener. Jerrik Sigg limited Burlington hitters to two hits in pitching a complete game for the Indians.
Levi Ashmore reached on an error to start the game. Sigg drew a one-out walk then Bristol had an RBI single.
Leading 1-0, the Indians went to work again in the second inning. Clint Heffern led off with a base hit and Mason Coons worked a walk.
With one gone, Ryan Latta hit into a fielder’s choice. Sigg singled in a run then Bristol’s double plated two runs. Iola added a run in the fifth on a two-out walk to Chris Heffern and a single by Cory Taylor.
Sigg gave up an unearned run in the sixth on a single and an error. He walked five and struck out six batters.
Bristol had two singles and a double. Chris Heffern had a double. The other hit in the game was a single by Ethan Ericson.
In the second game, in which the teams used wooden bats, Burlington won 7-5. Burlington scored two runs each in the second, third and fourth innings plus one in the fifth for a 7-0 lead.
The Indians came up with five runs in the sixth. They used four consecutive base hits, a hit batter, a sacrifice fly, a fielder’s choice and a Burlington error to get back into the game.
Down 7-5, Iola could not continue the comeback in the seventh. The Indians were retired in order by Burlington to end the game.
Taylor, Ashmore and Coons took turns on the mound for the Indians. Taylor went three innings and was charged with four runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
Ashmore pitched two innings, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out two. Coons pitched two scoreless innings, giving up two hits, walking two and striking out one.
Ryan Latta had two singles. Hitting a single each were Ashmore, Sigg, Aaron Barclay and Coons.
Iola goes on the road this weekend with games at Girard Saturday and at Eudora Sunday.
The Indians are back home Tuesday to host Mound City.
Iola Indians win one, lose one
