Iola A Legion team sweeps opener

For the first time in a long time, Iola American Legion Post 15 has a younger version in its summer baseball sponsorship.
The Iola A Indians opened the 2011 season at home Wednesday. They claimed wins of 13-4 and 14-9 over Burlington’s USSSA team at Riverside Park.
“We found out three weeks ago we were going to have this team,” said Bruce Faulhaber, Iola American Legion A head coach. “We’re working to fill a schedule.”
Members on the team are Drew Faulhaber, Alex Bauer, Thealvin Minor, Austin Snyder, Isaiah Grover, Brock Peters, Derrick Weir, Jacob Rhoads, Bryce Misenhelter, Trey Wilson, Shae Beasley, Trent Latta, Aaron Barclay, Eric Heffern, Tyler Clubine and Garrett Catron. Other coaches are Roland Weir, Jim Bauer, Randy Latta and Derek McKarnin.
Iola led 2-1 when it scored eight runs in the third to take control of the first game of the doubleheader Wednesday. The Indians added three more runs in the fourth inning.
Burlington scored three runs in the top of the fifth but Iola put out the rally fire after that, winning 13-4.
Aaron Barclay was the winning pitcher. He pitched four innings, allowing one run on one hit and three walks. Barclay struck out 10 batters.
Bryce Misenhelter threw one inning. He was charged with three runs on two hits and three walks. He struck out one.
Trent Latta hit two doubles and drove in four runs. Garrett Catron went 3-for-3 with three singles. Eric Heffern and Isaiah Grover each had two singles.
Shae Beasley doubled. Barclay and Derrick Weir had a single each.
After two innings the second game was tied at 5-5 and Burlington got on top 8-5 in the fourth. Iola used another big inning — nine runs in its half of the fourth — to get the lead back. Iola won 14-9.
Iola took advantage of 10 walks issued by Burlington pitchers. Latta doubled in the game. Misenhelter, Heffern, Beasley and Jacob Rhoads each had a single.
Latta got the win in relief, pitching two innings. He allowed four runs on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts.
Thealvin Minor started on the mound for Iola. He was charged with five runs on one hit and five walks with three strikeouts in 11⁄3 innings of work. Rhoads pitched 12⁄3 innings, giving up no runs on one hit and one walk with four strikeouts.
Coach Faulhaber said the Iola A team was slated to play in the Iola AA tournament June 11-12 at Allen County Community College.