GARNETT — The Indians demonstrated Wednesday night the difference a fresh start can make.
In game one against Garnett, the Iola offense could not find a way to get going and were held to three hits in a 6-2 loss.
When the team retook the field for game two, its offense had a new look.
Ethan Sigg and Ethan Tavarez were moved higher in the batting order for the nightcap. The switch paid huge dividends and the team notched a 14-12 win.
Sigg moved from the seven spot to take over the clean-up spot in fourth. He went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.
While Tavarez moved up only one spot to the eight spot, that switch put him next to nine hitter Tucker Fosha. The two were the game’s major run producers.
Tavarez went 3-for-3 and drove in three runs. He had a walk and run scored as well.
Fosha managed just one hit, but he made it count. He hit a bases-clearing triple to plate three runs.
The team was able to post runs in every inning with four in the first, one in the second, two in each the third and fourth, and five in the fifth.
Iola had to hold off a late Garnett charge in the fifth inning. The Indians inserted Mustang ace Derek Bycroft to seal the win in the final inning but the sophomore pitcher surrendered five runs, two earned. Bycroft buckled down to end the game and Iola escaped with a win despite the late scare.
