HUMBOLDT — American Legion AA Baseball continues to win. The Indians won both games of their doubleheader with Fort Scott on Thursday. The team then traveled to Fort Scott for a showcase tournament on Friday, where they defeated Paola 9-8. The Indians are now on a four-game win streak. ON FRIDAY, the Indians beat Paola 9-8 in the first game of at least three games of Fort Scott’s showcase tournament.
Back on Thursday, Iola won game one 5-0 against Fort Scott. The team’s played two five-inning games instead of seven-inning games because of the current showcase tournament that each team is playing in this weekend.
Ben Cooper got his first start of the season and made the most of it, tossing a shutout.
“We jumped on them early and in a five-inning game, you’ve got to get on them early,” coach Roland Weir said. “So, we got ahead and Ben Cooper went after the hitters. This was his first start, he had one inning of relief prior and he did a fantastic job.”
The Indians entered the fourth inning with a 1-0 lead, but broke out for four runs to take the commanding 5-0 lead.
Ethan Scheibmeir started it off with a single, while Derrick Weir followed with a walk. Trent Latta came through with an RBI-single. Siemens followed with an RBI on a misplayed ball. Badders knocked in a run on a fielder’s choice.
Iola ran into a little trouble in game two. Down 4-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Indians bats, and a lack of Fort Scott pitching, helped Iola gain back the lead.
“I called everyone in and told them we needed good at-bats. The kids responded,” Weir said. “Kason [Siemens] started the inning with a base hit, C.J. [D’Armond] had a double and we rolled from there. I called a delayed steal to get that run in and Hunter did a great job staying in the rundown.”
To tie the game, two wild pitches brought in Keanen Badders and D’Armond. Cooper came into score the winning run on the delayed steal by Murrow, which coach Weir was referring too.
Derrick Weir got the start in the game and left with a 2-1 lead. Siemens came into pitch the fourth and fifth innings. He gave up the lead in the fourth, but did manage to close out the game with no problem.
All three outs in the fifth were played error-free by newcomer Derek Bycroft, who had just joined the team.
“We’re going to add a couple of kids, I don’t have much choice,” coach Weir said. “I’ve got to have some more bodies on the roster.”
Bycroft has been already added to the roster and Kane Rogers looks to be added shortly. Each will be incoming freshman at Iola High during the upcoming school year.
A five-run fourth inning helped the Indians breakout to the lead. Derrick Weir and Latta each walked. Siemens hit an RBI-single. After Badders walked, Bycroft came through with a 2-RBI double.
The Indians play a team out of Wichita today at 4:45 p.m. and then play at 8 p.m. against a team from Neosho, Mo.
Iola is currently 9-3 on the season.
Legion baseball on four-game win streak
