The little things turned into big trouble once again for the hard-luck Iola High softball team.
Fielding errors fed both of Chanute’s scoring rallies, including a crucial two-run sixth inning that propelled the Blue Comets to a 3-1 win.
Iola, which has lost its three games this season by a combined four runs, didn’t allow the Blue Comets to exhale until the final out.
Maci Miller and Chloe Sell singled to lead off the bottom of the seventh and final inning. But consecutive ground balls kept runners at first and second with two outs. Jadyn Kaufman worked an eight-pitch walk to load the bases, but Aysha Houk, who had singled twice previously in the game, fouled off several tough pitches before grounding out to end the game.
“We’re right there with them,” Iola head coach Chris Weide said. “And it wasn’t just the seventh inning. Every inning, there was one extra hit we couldn’t get, or not making the extra play on defense. We’re really close. We’re just not making the plays we need to.”
The loss spoiled a gutsy pitching effort by Iola’s Reece Murry, who lowered her ERA to 1.75, while scattering five hits and striking out six. (None of Chanute’s runs were earned.)
“Reece is gonna keep us in every game,” Weide said. “She’s a real battler. She’s a competitor. We’ve just got to do our job, to ensure we can get some wins with her.”
A dropped pop fly allowed Chanute’s first run to score in the top of the first, one of four Mustang fielding miscues in the game.
Houk singled with two outs in the third, stole second and came around to score on Murry’s double to center to tie the score.
A walk to Jenna Curry put runners on first and second, and freshman first baseman Reese Curry followed with a laser shot to center that carried just long enough for the Blue Comet center fielder to catch it for the third out.
“Jenna had a good at bat, and Reese Curry hit a nice shot,” Weide said. “And even in the seventh inning, we kept battling. The girls are fighting. They’re making the effort. We’re just one hit away.”
Houk singled twice, while Murry had a double for the Mustang offense. Miller and Chloe Sell singled.
Iola (1-3) doesn’t get the opportunity to mope for long.
Prairie View, one of the premier teams in the Pioneer League, comes to town Tuesday.
“I told the girls I appreciated their effort,” Weide said. “I told them to take some time off this weekend, and be ready to go.”
