GIRARD — The Iola Mustangs ended their season with a 14-5 loss to the Heritage Christian Academy Chargers in Tuesday’s 3A regional semi-finals.
The Olathe team took control of the game in the sixth inning with eight runs.
Senior starter Tre Wilson took the loss in his final appearance for the Mustangs. He tallied six strikeouts, and allowed 11 runs on eight hits and six walks. Junior Jase Herrmann came on in relief, tallying a pair of strikeouts over 1 2/3 innings.
Up until the sixth, the Mustangs were in contention to advance to the regional championship. 
Junior catcher Kale Pratt put Iola on the scoreboard in the second inning with an RBI single. The Chargers responded with a trio of runs in the fourth inning. The Mustangs cut HCA’s lead to a run in their next at-bat after an RBI single by sophomore outfielder Reed Clift, only for HCA to score eight runs in the sixth.
A bases-loaded walk plated a run for Iola in the sixth, but a double play following the next at-bat halted Iola’s momentum. Down by 11 in the seventh, a Pratt grounder forced an infield error and a run for Iola. Junior first baseman Roy Gordon kept the late rally going with a single, advancing Pratt to third, but a double play at the next at-bat ended the game and Iola’s season.
Pratt was Iola’s most productive hitter with two RBIs while tying Gordon for second in hits as the pair were successful in 1 of 3 at-bats. Junior third baseman Austin Crooks was Iola’s leader in hits while successful in 2 of 4 at-bats.
With the loss, the Mustangs end the year 15-8.
The Mustangs say farewell to seniors Wilson, pitcher Easton Weseloh, senior shortstop Nick Bauer and senior outfielder Jackolby Hill, leaving Coach Lake Johnson with significant holes to fill. However, after years of area domination, finding that next man will likely not be an issue.
