The Iola Hormigas’ late rally fell short in a 13-8 loss to the Blackwell Flycatcher Monday night.
Down 9-3 in the fifth inning, the Hormigas rallied to pull within striking distance but could not keep their momentum going as the Flycatchers pulled away for the win.
Ramses Velazquez, recently procured from the San Diego Padres farm system, gave the Hormigas a glimpse of hope with an eighth-inning two-run homer.
“We got punched in the mouth early on and didn’t respond,” Iola manager Derick Dominguez said. “We had a pitcher out there struggling, but he fought through it. He gave us a chance to come back, but it was too late.”
Shortstop Oscar Gomez throws to first base during a double play.
Despite throwing a team-leading three strikeouts, starter Jesus Audeves took the loss after giving up nine runs before reliever Jacob Strobel came in to tally a pair of strikeouts over four innings.
Velazquez had a team-leading four RBIs. After keeping Iola in contention with an RBI in the early frames, a sixth-inning RBI single kept the game from getting out of hand. After multiple walks and a pair of runners scoring on wild pitches, Velazquez took advantage of an obviously rattled pitcher by sending a fastball over the left-center fence.
“It’s encouraging, but it’s also frustrating at the same time. We know we’re right there,” Dominguez said. “We just need to get over that hump. We’re still close. Time is not running out. It’s only June 16.”
Despite the loss, Dominguez remains confident his team will gain their footing at just the right time. One area he hopes to improve is his players recognizing when to go on the attack.
“We can’t be out there doing that. We must jump on him from the first pitch and hopefully take them out of the game,” Dominguez said.
Hormigas third baseman Julio Zamora holds on to a tag for an out facing a Blackwell Flycatchers runner.
Along with leading the Hormigas in RBIs, Velazquez also tied outfielder Miguel Tejada Jr. and catcher Nicholas Chavez for the team lead in hits with two each. With the loss, the Hormigas fall to 2-13. They return to the diamond Wednesday when they wrap up the Flycatchers series. They head on the road for a Thursday doubleheader against the North Platte 80s, then host the Trinidad Triggers 1 p.m. Sunday at Satchel Paige Stadium in Kansas City, then return to Iola for a 6 p.m. game against the Triggers Monday and wrap up next week’s homestand with a 6 p.m. Wednesday game against the Santa Fe Fuego.
