HUMBOLDT — The A Iola Indians were on the losing end of both games on Saturday at the Humboldt Sports Complex against the Salina Hawks 16U.
Originally, Iola planned for a weekend tournament in Garnett, but with rising COVID-19 cases in Kansas, Garnett is no longer holding large outdoor events. Salina still had their hotel booked, and decided to make the most of their visit.
Iola failed to lead at any point during Saturday’s doubleheader, and fell into a 7-0 hole after the first three innings in game 1. Eli Smith featured on the mound for Iola, picking up five strikeouts while allowing five walks and six hits. Nine runs were scored during Smith’s appearance, but he fell responsible for only four.
After a slow first three innings, the Indians generated some offense in the fourth. A fielder’s choice off a sharply hit ball by Trevor Church, and two runs off a misplayed fly ball gave Iola three in the third.
Mac Leonard relieved Smith in the fourth, finishing the final 2 1/3 innings. The Indians mustered only one more which came in the seventh, resulting in the 10-4 final.
Trey Sommer earned the game 2 start, tossing the complete five-inning game. Sommer collected four strikeouts, allowed five hits and two walks. An overall efficient day was spoiled by Iola’s defensive miscues.
Four errors led to four unearned runs, a number too high for the Indians to overcome. Salina scored three in the first, along with one run each in the fourth and fifth innings.
Drake DeLaTorre and Gavin Page were responsible for Iola’s offense. DeLaTorre got Iola on the board with an RBI groundout in the second, and Page completed the scoring with a two-RBI single in the fourth. Salina held on for the 5-3 victory to complete the two-game sweep.
The Indians will be back at the Humboldt Sports Complex at 6 p.m. on Tuesday for a doubleheader with the Montgomery County Cardinals 18U.
