The Iola Hormigas found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-1 series split with the North Platte 80s after falling 7-5 Tuesday night.
After picking up their first win of the season Monday, the Hormigas’ rally for their second victory fell short as they drop to a 1-10 record.
“Those are the ones you have to have,” Hormigas coach Derick Dominguez said. “We prepared very well. We out-hit them 14 to 7, but starting pitching in general, we need to get ahead in the count. We’re falling behind. We had 10 walks and in professional baseball that’s going to come back and bite you in the butt.”
Outfielder Xander Nabors got the Hormigas started with an RBI single in the opening frame, but North Platte responded with runs in the third and fourth inning to take a 2-1 lead. Despite posting runs in the early innings, Tuesday became a pitchers’ duel with North Platte’s Trever Nelson relying on the play of his defense while Iola starter Jesus Audeves and relievers Jacob Slocomb and Nabors relying on their arms.
“We have to be better. Our guys hit great but there were base running errors that cost us in the end,” Dominguez said. “We’ll have to address that Wednesday and we’ll be back at it Thursday against Blackwell.”
In the sixth inning, catcher Nicholas Chaves tied the game 2-2 on an RBI double. Nabors, Slocomb and Audeves racked up nine total strikeouts with speeds reaching into the low 90s, but Nabors seemed to suffer from some control issues in the eighth inning.
North Platte capitalized with four runs. Iola attempted a late rally with three runs on a two-RBI single from third baseman Julio Zamora and an RBI grounder from Franco but it was not enough to overcome the 80s’ big eighth inning.
“It’s just putting a game plan together and executing it,” Dominguez said. “Having our pitchers throw a minimum. This early in the season, arms start to get a little fatigued. We need to make sure we take care of ourselves. Our bullpen will be alright.
Nabors, Chaves and first baseman Devin Radar tied for the team-lead in hits with three each. Zamora had a team-leading two RBIs.
The Hormigas head on the road for a three-game series against the Blackwell Flycatchers. They host Blackwell for four games with the first on Sunday at Satchell Paige Stadium, then the next three games at Alumni Field on the campus of Allen Community College.
First pitches for next week’s home games are set for 6 p.m.
“I told the guys ‘We’re going out to Blackwell on Thursday and don’t be surprised if things don’t go your way,’” Dominguez said.
“We’ve been out there before. We know what to expect. We just have to compete in every pitch and every at-bat and hopefully things will come out for the best.”
