PITTSBURG — The Iola American Legion Post 15 Junior Indians’ season came to an end at Pittsburg’s historic Jaycee Park after falling in a shutout to the Wellsville Post 194 Eagles on day three of the Kansas American Legion State Tournament.
Thanks to a seven-strikeout performance by Wellsville pitcher Joey Immediato, the Junior Indians failed to register a run despite six Iola runners reaching first base in Saturday’s 5-0 shutout.
Moran starting pitcher Thomas Allee took the loss after allowing four runs on four hits and a pair of walks while tallying a strikeout over the first and second innings. Iola reliever Jaxen Mueller was a bit better after taking the mound in the third inning. He posted a team-leading two strikeouts while holding Wellsville to just one run in the sixth inning, allowing four hits and two walks.
Mueller also tied for the team lead. He joined Colony catcher Andrew Donovan, Iola second baseman Ty Thomas and Allee, who were each successful in 1 of 3 at-bats. Iola shortstop Braylon Keithly drew a pair of walks.
The Topeka Post 421 Senators, who defeated Post 15 Friday, finished state runner-up after falling to the Pittsburg Post 64 Silverbacks 19-10.
With the loss, the Indians end their season with a 4-14-1 record. However, most of those losses came to older 17U programs. Most of Iola’s team consisted of incoming sophomores and freshmen, many of whom are expected to return.
