HAYS Seven innings were not enough to decide the semi-final of the Senior American Legion Kansas State Tournament between the AA Iola Indians and Emporia Post 5.
The Indians could not muster the go-ahead run with four chances at the plate in a tight 2-2 game. Ultimately, Emporia walked off in the 11th inning to eliminate Iola from the tournament.
Iola rolled through AA pool play, outscoring its opponents in the combined three games 29-4. Pool play success earned Iola the one seed, and another AA state title, which the Indians won last year, whetting their appetite for more. This year, AA and AAA were combined, creating one champion to advance to regionals in Nebraska.
Earlier in the year, Iola had played Emporia away, and saw their 11-0 unbeaten streak come to a close. This time, the Indians intended on turning the table.
Despite earning the one seed out of the AA pool, a flip of the coin between the two sides established Emporia as the home team.
In Legion you flip for everything, but I think the rule is dumb, Indians center fielder Isaac Vink said. It is just a different mindset, and changes the game if you are the home team in a game like this.
Emporia made the breakthrough in the second to earn a slim 2-0 lead, but the Indians responded in the fourth.
Vink led off the inning by singling on a line drive to center field for Iolas first hit of the game. Derek Bycroft followed with a double to center field, putting Indians on second and third. Zane Whitneys two-RBI single brought home Vink and Bycroft to put Iola back on level terms.
Bycroft was selected by head coach Jason Bauer to go the distance for Iola. The Kansas 4A back-to-back state pitcher of the year allowed two runs, six hits, and collected three strikeouts in the first seven of this 11-inning game.
Derek battled, Bauer said. Ill be honest, I thought the strike zone was pretty tough both ways. Up and down was very inconsistent, but both teams dealt with it.
The Emporia pitcher, Beau Baumgardner, kept the Indians bats in check the rest of the way. Baumgarner allowed two runs, six hits, and struck out five Indians in 8 ? innings.
Neither side was able to find a breakthrough, and both teams were rock solid in defense not letting any balls escape.
It was quiet on both sides. After the fourth, I dont think anyone got a baserunner on third base, Vink said. Both teams got in a slump and were content with what was happening. No one had that extra drive to keep going, and it was only getting hotter. And then we started making poor decisions at the plate, and not having as good of at bats as we were.
After Bycroft threw the complete 105 pitches allowed, Cal Leonard took over on the mound for Iola. Leonard went the rest of the way for Iola, and did all he could to hold off the Emporia bats.
He pitched his butt off, Bauer said. I think thats a different Cal Leonard than anybody has seen back home. I hope he continues to grow on that. He has come a long way, and grown up… I give him a lot of credit.
Emporia failed to score for eight innings, but got the game-winning run off Leonard in the 11th inning. The loss sent Emporia to the championship game, and Iola home. The Indians ultimately lost to the tournaments best, with Emporia defeating Hays in the title game 7-5.
