SHAWNEE — The Iola 14 and under baseball team had their eye on more hardware last weekend when they traveled to Shawnee for the Swing for the Rings Tournament on Saturday.
Iola was able to repeat as champions for the second year in a row and walk away with the rings awarded to the champions.
Entering bracket play as the third-seeded team, Iola faced off with LawDawgs out of Kansas City and were able to beat them 7-5.
Nathan Louk pitched five innings to earn the win and Kole Rogers picked up the save by pitching the final two frames.
The ensuing semifinal game against the Heaters from Blue Springs, Mo., was an 11-inning thriller with Iola prevailing 8-6.
Dillon Bycroft was the offensive hero in the 11th with a two-out, two-run double to give the team the margin they needed for victory.
Eli Smith pitched seven innings before Rogers pitch three scoreless in extra innings and Bradyn Cole got the save in the 11th.
The championship game was another back-and-forth affair with the Topeka Powerhouse, but Iola prevailed 7-6.
Cole pitched the first four innings and Drake Sellman pitched the final two in a game that was shortened to six innings due to a time limit.
BACK-TO-BACK: Iola repeats at Swing for the Rings Tournament
