OTTAWA — Iola AA American Legion Post 15 swept the competition in the Ottawa Wood Bat Tournament this weekend, winning all three games. Iola beat Silver Lake 2-1 in the first game of the tournament Friday, getting both runs in the first inning. Derrick Weir had both RBIs on a single that scored Hunter Murrow, who reached on a walk, and Caleb Vanatta, who reached on a single. Aaron Barclay had the only two other hits for Iola’s offense. Alex Murrow pitched all seven innings, striking out eight while only allowing one run on one hit and one walk.
The Indians won game two on Sunday 3-1 against Ottawa. Weir provided all three RBIs on a bases-clearing double, with the offense coming in the first inning again. Murrow, Vanatta and Trent Latta scored the runs. Latta and Vanatta both had singles to get on base, while Murrow walked. Caleb D’Armond had a single later in the game. Grayson Pearish was credited with the win, pitching 3 2/3 innings, giving up one run on four hits and four walks with strikeouts. Latta came in for relief, pitching 3 1/3 innings giving up only one walk and no hits with four strikeouts.
Iola won again on Sunday, defeating Garnett 9-0.
Kason Siemens led the offense with three RBIs on a double and a single. Jacob Carpenter had two singles. Eric Heffern, Drew Faulhaber, Latta, Vanatta, Murrow and Pearish all added a single in the lopsided win that lasted five innings. Barclay earned the win, pitching four innings, striking out four while giving up only three hits and one walk. Siemens pitched the final inning, striking out two and giving up on one hit.
The Indians next play Tuesday at Osawatomie in a doubleheader starting at 6 p.m.
