PAOLA — The Iola Mustangs jump back into Pioneer League play on a four-game winning streak after sweeping 4A Paola 11-0 and 10-5 on Friday.
Senior pitcher Elza Clift and sophomore pitcher Zoie Hesse provided the fireworks to Iola’s sweep as they look to keep their hot streak going against Osawatomie Tuesday.
“I told them in the huddle, when we’re dialed in, it shows the potential we have,” Iola coach Chris Weide said. “Our whole team tonight, they were selective at times, but when strikes were thrown, we were attacking the ball. We had really good bats up and down the entire lineup tonight.”
Hesse continues making a solid push for the All-Pioneer League team after pitching a five-inning shutout in the opener with eight strikeouts. She also had a team-leading eight RBIs — lighting up the scoreboard with an RBI double and later scoring on a fielding error. Senior outfielder Kyndal Bycroft and senior first baseman Kaylin Cruisinbery later added a pair of RBI singles to firmly put Iola in control 4-0.
“It was our hitting that really got us going. Our warmup really wasn’t that good,” Cruisinbery said. “We went out, started hitting and everybody started playing together, more as a team. Paola has some speed, so I have to trust whoever is throwing to make the right throw so I can catch it.”
Back-to-back Hesse homers, and an RBI single by Clift at shortstop gave the Mustangs a 9-0 advantage. An RBI single from senior third baseman Harper Desmarteau and a sacrifice fly by senior catcher Reese Curry sealed the mercy-rule victory before the seventh inning.
Hesse’s power hitting may have rubbed off on Clift, whose pair of homers provided Iola enough cushion to seal the sweep. Clift put the Mustangs on the scoreboard after scoring on a passed ball, then Iola extended its lead to 3-0 on a fielding error and a Curry RBI single. RBIs by freshman outfielder Addylin Wacker and senior outfielder Alana Mader kept Iola ahead, but Paola rallied to make it a 5-4 game before the fifth inning. 
Sophomore Zoie Hesse chases a fly ball during the second game of Friday’s series.
Clift put Iola up 6-4 with her first homer, followed by Desmarteau scoring on a wild pitch, then a two-RBI line drive by Bycroft to end the sixth inning. Clift struck pay dirt in the second to give Iola an insurmountable 10-5 advantage. After allowing a homer to kick off Paola’s final at-bat, Clift steeled herself, striking out the next two batters before ending the finale by forcing a grounder.
“Our defense was so strong. I have so much trust in them,” Clift said. “It was exciting. I’ve only ever hit one home run in my life. I was just swinging to hit, and both of them went over the fence.”
Clift and Bycroft ended the game tied for the team lead in RBIs with two each. Clift also picked up a complete-game victory while tallying six strikeouts. With the wins, the Mustangs improve to 8-4 and 5-1 in Pioneer League play. Osawatomie, meanwhile, is 2-4 in the Pioneer League and could make headway up the standings with a win over Iola. First pitches for both games of the doubleheader are 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.
