The Iola Mustangs will wrap up the regular season on a high note Friday at St. Mary Colgan after a disappointing finish to the Pioneer League season in Thursday’s 6-1, 13-0 sweep by the Santa Fe Trail Chargers.
Iola hopes to use Friday’s contest to generate a bit of momentum after the Chargers halted the Mustangs’ 10-game win streak.
“It was a disappointing night. We talked all week about the opportunity we had and we just let it slip through our fingers,” said Iola coach Chris Weide.
In the opener, the Mustangs struggled to get on the scoreboard until a sixth-inning single by senior catcher Reese Curry plated sophomore pitcher Zoie Hesse after a throwing error from outfield. As Iola struggled at the plate, Santa Fe quietly extended its lead until eventually carrying a 6-1 advantage into Iola’s final at-bat.
Senior outfielder Kyndal Bycroft robs a home run against Santa Fe Trail.
Hesse took the loss with five strikeouts over seven innings while allowing four walks and two earned runs. Hesse also had a team-leading pair of hits while successful in 2 of 3 at-bats. Senior outfielder Kyndal Bycroft hit 1 of 2 while Curry, senior third baseman Harper Desmarteau and senior shortstop Elza Clift were 1 of 4 at-bats.
“We gave up one or two earned runs defensively. We just weren’t on point,” Weide said. “We didn’t have good at-bats. Zoie pitched a great game, we just were not there to back her up.”
Sensing victory, the Chargers exacerbated the Mustangs’ issues in the finale. Despite three players hitting above .500 in the second game, Iola failed to manufacture runs while Santa Fe jumped out to a 4-0 lead before the third inning.
Hesse ended the game with a team-leading two hits while successful in 2 of 3 at-bats. Sophomore outfielder Brooklyn Holloway and freshman outfielder Addi Wacker were successful in 1 of 2 at-bats. Curry hit in 1 of 3 at-bats. But regardless of who was on base the Mustangs could not find a way to bring them home.
“I thought it was a regional atmosphere, and we just did not show up to play,” Weide said. “We did not play our best. I did not coach my best. I told them after the game about the adjustments I’m going to make. It will be another test against another good team.”
Senior pitcher Elza Clift took the loss in the 13-0 shutout, posting a strikeout in the complete-game effort but allowing six walks and six earned runs.
Although receiving a drubbing Tuesday, Coach Weide believes his team has the makings for a regional championship team if they believe in themselves and never give up.
“I’m going to change things up, and hopefully it will align things so we can play better on Monday (in the playoffs),” Weide said. “I still think we have the players to get it done. I was disappointed in game two because I feel like we gave up. That’s the first time I can say that about this group in several years. We still have the talent. I’m confident we can still get it done, but we need to dial it back in and focus on what’s important.”
First pitches for Friday’s games against Colgan are 4:30 and 6 p.m.
