GARNETT — A pair of late rallies weren’t enough for Iola High’s softball team Tuesday.
The Mustangs, playing without starting pitcher Reece Murry, turned to freshman Elza Clift and senior Maci Miller for their first pitching action of the season.
Both battled gamely in a wind stuck on “sandblast” setting most of the night, but Iola fell short in both contests, 6-3 and 7-10, to go 2-6 on the season.
“It was one of those nights,” head coach Chris Weide said. “I’m proud of those girls for coming in and helping out.”
The loss in the nightcap was a particularly painful one, after Iola led most of the night.
But a pair of critical calls went against Iola’s favor in the bottom of the sixth, allowing Anderson County to score eight and erase a 6-2 Mustang lead.
The first pivotal moment came with a runner on base, and Anderson County’s Tarin Rues at the plate. She smacked a hard grounder back to Miller, who deflected the ball. Iola shortstop Aysha Houk was quick to pounce on the ball, and threw a dart to first base for the out.
But the umpires didn’t see it that way, calling the runner safe, putting runners on the corners and still only one out.
A walk loaded the bases before an error brought in a pair of runs.
Then, on another grounder to the infield, Iola threw home to tag out the Bulldog runner at the plate, but again the umpire called the runner safe.
The Bulldogs’ Brenna Kohlmeier completed the rally with a bases-clearing, inside-the-park home run to push Anderson County ahead, 10-6. It was Anderson County’s only hit of the night.
Still, Iola did not go down quietly in the top of the seventh.
Jenna Curry reached on an error, Reese Curry followed with a single, and Chloe Sell lofted a double down the line to make it 10-7 with runners on second and third with one out.
But the Bulldogs retired the final two Iola batters on a strikeout and ground ball to end the game.
Weide remained diplomatic despite the tough calls.
