Preventing opponents from having big innings has not been a strong suit for Iola High’s Fillies this season.
Monday’s Southeast Kansas League doubleheader with visiting Columbus High’s Lady Titans presented the Fillies with opportunities to win in league play. Coming into the games, Iola was 2-8 in the SEK and Columbus was 2-4.
The Fillies led 2-0 in the opener but allowed back-to-back five-run innings by Columbus High’s Lady Titans. Columbus won 13-2.
In the second game, the Fillies tied the game at 1-1 with a run in the second. It stayed that way until the Lady Titans struck for six runs in the fourth on their way to an 11-1 victory.
“Breail Thompson and Leah Weir pitched well and Holly Schomaker did a good job behind the plate,” said Vince Coons, Fillies’ head coach.
Unfortunately, the Lady Titans found the holes in the defense to crank out hits. Iola had three errors in the first game and four defensive miscues in the second contest.
Columbus had 15 hits against Thompson in the opener. She walked four and hit two batters. Thompson notched four strikeouts.
Thompson drove in both of Iola’s runs. In the first inning, Lauren Toney drew a one-out walk then stole second and went to third on the errant throw. Mackenzie Weseloh got on with a base-on-balls. Thompson doubled to the center field fence.
Iola’s offense also has struggled all season. Weseloh had two singles in the game and Toney had a base hit.
Columbus scored a run in the first inning of the second game. Iola produced the equalizer in the second frame.
Schomaker led off with a base hit and moved to second on a passed ball. Two ground-outs brought her in to score.
Iola had just four hits in the game. Toney tripled. Halie Cleaver and Kayla Knavel each had a single.
Weir went the distance on the mound for the Fillies. She surrendered 10 hits, walked two and hit a batter. She struck out six.
Iola (2-10 and 3-14) goes to Fort Scott in SEK play Monday. The Fillies finish up the season at home against Pittsburg May 12.
Lady Titans beat Fillies
