COFFEYVILLE — Battling the strong, windy conditions and some arm fatigue among pitchers, Iola High’s Mustangs found ways to win Thursday.
The Mustangs swept a Southeast Kansas League doubleheader against host Coffeyville’s Field Kindley High School. The Mustangs won 10-9 and 15-5.
“Our pitchers pitched great. We left them in there trying to get one more out, one more inning from them and they got tired,” said Mark Percy, Mustang head coach.
Short on experienced pitchers from the get-go, the Mustangs were tired after Tuesday’s opening doubleheader at home. Percy and assistant coach Steve Taylor had nothing but praise for the Mustang pitchers following Thursday’s games.
“We also hit the ball hard. Our 2 through 5 hitters in the lineup went 17-for-25 in the doubleheader. That’s a ton of hits,” Percy said.
Those hitters are Ryan Latta, Connor Frazell, Chris Heffern and Jerrik Sigg.
Iola jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the opening inning of the first game. The Mustangs led 6-0 when Coffeyville scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Iola and Coffeyville each added three runs in the sixth to make it 9-9.
Clint Heffern singled with one out in the seventh for Iola. He stole second and went to third on a bad throw. With two gone, Mason Coons hit a slow roller which Coffeyville’s shortstop bobbled and Cl. Heffern scored on the error.
Frazell pitched a scoreless 1-2-3 seventh for the win. Corey Taylor started and pitched four innings, allowing four runs on four hits, four walks and one hit batter. He struck out four.
Cl. Heffern threw two innings, giving up five runs on seven hits and three walks with one strikeout.
Ryan Latta had three singles in the game and Chris Heffern had a double and a single. Levi Ashmore, Frazell, Sigg and Cl. Heffern each had a single.
Coffeyville led 4-2 after two innings. A three-run third for Iola was highlighted by a two-run home run by Sigg.
The Mustangs continued to build their lead with six runs in the fourth.
“Jerrik crushed a pitch for a grand slam in the fourth. He had seven RBIs in that game,” Percy said. “Connor had four RBIs. Overall, our kids are hitting the ball hard.”
The Mustangs scored four runs in the fifth and held Coffeyville to one in the inning. Iola won the game in five innings because of the 10-run rule.
Sigg had a single to go with his two home runs. Frazell had two doubles and a single. Ch. Heffern and R. Latta each hit a double and a single. Coons singled.
Ch. Heffern started the game and pitched two innings. He was charged with four runs on four hits and three walks plus struck out two. Sigg, who got the win in relief, threw three innings, allowing one run on two hits and one hit batter and struck out two.
Iola (3-1) goes to Chanute Monday in SEK play.
IOLA HIGH’s FILLIES also won two at Coffeyville. They won 6-0 and 15-0. Alex Hill threw a one-hitter in the first game and recorded her first career perfect game with no runs, no hits, no walks.
Game story in Saturday’s Register.
