The Iola Hormigas’ losing streak continues after falling in a trio of blowout losses over the weekend.
Mathematically eliminated from the postseason, the Hormigas looked to play spoiler to the North Platte 80s but instead found themselves on the wrong end of a three-game sweep and fell 11-3 to the Garden City Wind Sunday to start their final series of the season.
After falling 25-2 to open their final road series of the year Thursday, the Hormigas slightly improved Friday in a 20-3 loss. First baseman Devin Radar posted his eighth home run of the year. He drove in a team-leading pair of RBIs while successful in 3 of 5 at-bats while also leading Iola in hits. Outfielder Zachary Trangmar drove in a run while hitting in 2 of 5 at-bats and outfielder Jacob Bosse was perfect in 2 of 2 appearances.
Pitcher Frankie Almendarez took the loss after allowing 11 runs and eight walks. Reliever Amari Kemp had a team-leading three strikeouts, followed by Trangmar with two.
Iola showed a bit more poise in game three but ultimately took a 9-3 loss after North Platte posted four runs in the opening frame and left Iola playing from behind for the remainder of the contest. Bosse, Trangmar and outfielder Xander Nabors tied for the team lead in hits with two each, but Radar once again plated the most runners with two RBI in one swing in the seventh inning. Short stop Antuan Franco and third baseman Javion Rodricks had one RBI each.
After serving as reliever Friday, Bosse had a team-leading seven strikeouts while taking the loss Saturday while allowing seven runs on eight hits. Reliever Nick Fredrickson posted a pair of strikeouts in his one inning of work but allowed a pair of runs on eight hits.
Iola wrapped up the weekend with an 11-3 loss to the Garden City Wind to open their final series Sunday. The Hormigas strung together a trio of RBIs by recently signed catcher Anthony Castaneda, Franco and Rodricks. Franco and Castaneda tied for the team lead in hits with three each, but it was not enough to overcome an early deficit exacerbated by a four-run sixth inning.
Starter Jesus Audeves took the loss with a pair of strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings while allowing five runs on five hits. Radar came in as relief only to allow six runs on six hits.
With the loss, Iola falls to 13-32 while Garden City, the top-ranked team in the Mountain North Division, improves to 42-7. Iola wraps up the series and the season Tuesday.
