NEODESHA — Iola High got an early taste of what postseason softball will be like Friday, head coach Chris Weide said.
The Mustangs ventured to Neodesha for a pair of hard-fought, well-pitched games.
Aysha Houk’s dash for home provided the tie-breaking run in extra innings, a 2-1 Iola victory.
But Iola’s hitting luck turned sour in the nightcap as Neodesha fended off IHS, 2-1 in the finale.
“I know the girls are disappointed,” Weide said. “We didn’t come here for a split. But when you get to regionals, there’s gonna be close games like this. We’re a better team having gone through games like this.”
Iola picked up the win in game 1, despite notching only two hits.
But boy were they big.
Iola was hitless through the first five innings before Houk legged out an infield single with one out in the sixth. She stole second, and then third, setting the stage for Jenna Curry, who roped a line drive single to right field to knot the score at 1-1.
Iola pitcher Elza Clift then worked out of a jam in both the sixth and seventh innings, striking out the final two Bluestreak batters with a runner on second in the sixth, and then working around a leadoff walk in the seventh. The baserunner stole both second and third, and was nearly sent home when a Bluestreak batter lofted a line drive down the left field line with two outs.
But the ball curved foul, giving Clift just the chance she needed. Two pitches later, she had secured the strikeout, sending the game into extra innings.
Houk reached on an error to start the eighth inning, stole second and moved to third on a ground ball.
With one out and Houk on third, Curry was muttering to herself when she popped a foul ball to the Bluestreak first baseman in foul territory for the second out.
It turned into a game-winning RBI when Houk alertly darted for home before Neodesha could respond. She scored easily, giving Iola the lead.
“I don’t think they were ready for it,” Weide said.
Clift retired the final three Bluestreak batters in order.
By the time the dust settled, Clift had struck out 11 over eight innings, giving up four hits.
Houk, Curry and Chloe Sell had singles for the Mustangs.
