GIRARD — The Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches 3A rankings may see a dramatic shift following the Iola Mustangs’ 4-2 victory over the top-ranked Girard Trojans Thursday.
The Mustangs extended their win streak to eight games after knocking off the Trojans thanks to a pair of two-RBI performances by senior catcher Tre Wilson and junior outfielder Kale Pratt.
A two-run Wilson homer in the opening frame seemed a foreboding sign for the Trojans.
Iola held Girard scoreless until the fifth inning, when the Trojans plated a pair of runners on a pair of RBI singles.
The hiccup was the only hurdle junior starting pitcher Jase Herrmann experienced while tallying three strikeouts over six innings.
With Herrmann allowing only two runs on four hits and three walks, Iola just needed a big inning to take down the Trojans.
Both teams went scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings, forcing the contest into extra innings.
In the seventh inning, Iola coach Lake Johnson opted for Pratt to carry the Mustangs into extra innings and a little bit more thanks to his contribution in the batter’s box.
With two outs in the eighth inning, a Pratt line-drive plated Herrmann and sophomore outfielder Reed Clift. Taking the mound, Pratt got into a bit of trouble with a man in scoring position, another on first base and no outs. He hunkered down for a strikeout, then a line-drive to junior third baseman Austin Crooks, followed by a Crooks throw to second, decided the contest with a double play.
Along with tying for the team-lead in RBIs with Wilson, Pratt also tied senior shortstop Nick Bauer in hits as the pair were successful in 2 of 4 at-bats. On the mound, he pitched a two-inning shutout while keeping the Trojans scoreless with no hits, three walks and a strikeout.
With the win, the Mustangs improved their overall record to 11-3. They faced Emporia on the road Friday, but the final scores were not available at press time.
They return to the diamond Tuesday, when they host Pioneer League rival Wellsville for a doubleheader. First pitch for the opener is at 4 p.m. with a 6 p.m. first pitch scheduled for the nightcap.
