WELLSVILLE — Iola High’s softball team saw both ends of the spectrum Thursday. ONLY ONE Iola batter reached base against Wellsville starter Kaylynn Peacock, who struck out six. Shelby Reno walked to lead off the second, where she was stranded.
The Fillies opened Pioneer League Tournament play with a 14-4 romp over Anderson County, keyed by an eight-run third inning and the pitching of Mackenzie Weseloh.
But the momentum ended in the second game, when host Wellsville scored early and often in a 16-0 romp.
The split puts Iola (8-11) in Monday’s third-place game against Osawatomie at Prairie View High School in LaCygne, host site. First pitch is scheduled for about 4:30 p.m.
The Fillies took full advantage of free bases in the first inning against Anderson County to take a 3-0 lead.
Halie Cleaver, Hannah Endicott and Shelby Reno all walked with one out. Jadyn Sigg drilled an RBI single. The Lady Bulldogs cut the gap to 3-2 before Taylor Heslop led off the second with a single. She scored on Endicott’s ground ball for a 4-2 cushion.
It was 4-3 when the floodgates opened in the top of the third.
Every Iola batter reached base at least once in the frame, aided by five errors and five walks. Ashlie Shields’ two-run single was the big blow.
Two walks and an error led to two more Iola runs in the fifth.
That was more than enough for Weseloh, who gave up seven hits with three strikeouts.
Shields had a single, as did Weseloh and Sigg.
Meanwhile, the Eagles scored six in the first, five in the second and five in the third.
Endicott took the loss. She gave up eight hits and six walks. Baylea Thompson pitched in relief, giving up four hits and two walks.
Fillies split at Wellsville
