The Iola American Legion Post 15 Indians wrapped up Tuesday’s doubleheader in Pittsburg on a high note after downing Pittsburg Post 64 13-10.
After dropping the opener 4-3, the Indians rebounded with a 13-10 win after a late lead with a six-run fifth inning.
Pitcher Gavin Jones took the loss in the opener as Pittsburg scored a pair of late runs for a 4-3 win. With 119 pitches split between Jones and starter Grady Dougherty, the pair had to work for every out as they combined for four strikeouts with Dougherty accounting for three.
Iola jumped out to an early lead after a pop-fly by catcher Tre Wilson resulted in an error and two runs for the Indians. Wilson registered the only RBI of the evening on a sixth-inning grounder, but Pittsburg pulled away for the win.
Shortstop Blake Ellis picked up a team-leading two hits while successful in 2 of 4 at-bats while Wilson had the Indians’ only other hit for three total hits. Iola’s bats came alive in the finale, but so did Pittsburg’s, leading to a dogfight as both teams reached double-digit runs.
Although a scoring bonanza, the Indians’ bullpen seemed to make the difference as Pittsburg’s petered out while Post 15 was just warming up. A Wilson two-run homer in the opening frame gave Iola an early advantage but Pittsburg responded with three runs in their first at-bat. Ellis and second baseman Tyler Lord put Iola back in the driver’s seat with a pair of second inning RBIs. Wilson cleared the bases with a triple moments later, then reached home on an errant pitch to give the Indians a 7-3 lead.
The Indians were not out of the woods just yet. Starter Ryan Golden suffered the brunt of Pittsburg’s attack while striking out a pair and allowing seven earned runs. After Pitt tied the game, seeking a change of pace, Post 15 coach T.J. Taylor opted reliever Cole Mathes, who was still seasoned from a solid performance at the high school state tournament a few weeks ago. Mathes relied on the defense for most of the outs over the next three innings, tallying three strikeouts while allowing three runs.
As both teams’ bats cooled from a fiery opening, Pittsburg briefly took the lead after plating a runner in the fourth inning, but that lead would not last long. In the sixth, a Dougherty RBI grounder tied the game 8-8, then the Indians took a 9-8 lead on an RBI single from third baseman Easton Weseloh. Golden, now playing outfield, plated Mathes with an RBI single providing the final lead change of the evening as the Indians pulled ahead.
Post 15 extended its lead on RBIs from Lord, catcher Dom Smith and outfielder Henry White, but even a five-run lead is not insurmountable. Pittsburg made a valiant effort with a pair of runs in their final at-bat, but Iola held on for the win.
With the win, the Indians improve to 3-3 and hope to get back on the right side of the win column when they return to the diamond Tuesday for a road trip to Independence. First pitch is at 6 p.m.
