HIAWATHA — The Iola American Legion Post 15 Indians 19U look to tie a record, when they go for their fourth consecutive state title starting Friday.
After receiving an automatic bid to the state tournament, following the cancellation of their zone tournament, the Indians (14-5) enter the tournament as the second seed and on a seven-game win streak, with their last loss coming July 2.
The Indians open the tournament 4 p.m. Friday against seventh-seeded Smith County. If they win, then they face the winner of Friday’s game featuring third-seed Seneca (12-12) and sixth-seed Colby at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The fifth-seed Muddogs of Garnett (13-5) are the only team in the state tournament bracket to defeat Post 15 in the regular season. After splitting their June 24 doubleheader, the Indians took both of their follow-up encounters at the Chanute Wood Bat Tournament earlier this month 5-2 and 14-4.
Despite holding their own against Post 15 in two of three meetings, Garnett seems the most impacted by the cancellation of the zone tournament. They enter the tournament as the fifth seed and on the opposite end of the bracket, opening against fourth-seed Norton (13-15).
If they win, then they face the victor of first seed Marysville 19-6) and eighth-seed Hiawatha (11-14). Were there to be a fifth game between the Indians and Muddogs, it would not take place until the 1 p.m. Sunday winners bracket semifinal.
While state tournament championships may seem a tradition for the Indians, at least three players may enter the tournament with a bit of a chip on their shoulders. After an earlier than expected exit from the 17U state tournament last Friday, Easton Weseloh, Kale Pratt, Brock Michaels, Roy Gordon and potential Humboldt High School 2026 ace Ty Shaughnessy may have a bit more to prove despite strong individual performances last week.
