Scoring five runs in the third inning and six in the sixth, Iola High’s Mustangs won their opening-round game in Kansas Class 4A Regional Tournament play.
The Mustangs ousted the Prairie View High Buffalos 11-3 Monday here at Allen County Community College’s baseball field. It was the only game played of four opening-round contests scheduled in the regional.
In the 4A regional hosted by Osawatomie had the top four seeded teams hosting the first games Monday. Games at Osawatomie, Ottawa and Spring Hill were postponed because of wet field conditions. Those games are slated to be played today.
Iola (12-7) advance to a semifinal game Wednesday in Osawatomie. The Mustangs play the winner of Spring Hill-Paola at 4:30 p.m.
The regional championship game is at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Osawatomie.
“It’s great to get this win and to be able to play at home,” said Connor Frazell, Iola senior pitcher. “It was definitely a better game for me than last year’s regional opener.”
Frazell pitched a complete game for the Mustangs against the Buffalos Monday. He allowed just three hits — all doubles — walked five and hit one batter. Frazell struck out six.
“Coach told us we couldn’t get down after they scored two runs. I wasn’t getting the strike calls I thought I should and I had to adjust a bit,” Frazell said following the game.
Frazell was the starter for Iola in a 4-1 loss last year to Louisburg in regional opening-round play.
Frazell worked out of trouble and the Mustang defense held steady behindhim. Prairie View used back-to-back walks and a double to the left field fence to score two runs in the third inning.
The Mustangs came right back in their half of the inning. With one gone, Levi Ashmore drew a walk and stole second. A wild throw to first allowed Ashmore to scamper all the way to third on the play.
Senior third baseman Ryan Latta doubled down the left field line driving in a run. Frazell beat out an infield hit and swiped second base.
Chris Heffern, senior catcher, was initially called out at first base on a hit in the infield. Mustang head coach Mark Percy appealed to the home plate umpire who called Heffern safe because Prairie View’s first baseman’s foot was pulled off the base on the play.
Jerrik Sigg hit the ball hard enough that the Buffalos couldn’t come up with it cleanly. A passed ball allowed a run to score and Clint Heffern hit a 0-2 pitch for a RBI single.
Iola led 5-2. Prairie View had two doubles to start off the fourth producing a run.
After a couple of 1-2-3 innings, the Mustangs broke through again in the sixth. Corey Taylor started off with a solid single and Clint Heffern reached on an errorr. Braden Larson worked a walk to load the bases.
Mason Coons delivered a two-run single to right center field. That forced a pitching change by the Buffalos. With one gone, Ryan Latta was hit by pitch and Frazell’s fielder’s choice brought in a run.
Chris Heffern drew a walk and Priarie View changed pitchers again. Sigg was hit by a pitch to force in a run. A couple of wild pitches brought in two more runs.
When the dust settled, the Mustangs had scored six runs and were in control of an 11-3 lead.
Frazell struck out the first batter in the top of the seventh. Then he issued a walk but a fielder’s choice got the runner at second base. Jarred Latta caught a fly ball to left field for the final out.
“Coach just told us to stay up and not get down. We needed to hit the ball,” said Sigg, who plays center field. “It’s good to get our first regional win but it’s just the first step, we have two more games to win in the regional.”
For Chris Heffern, he saw the game as a team effort.
“We didn’t play up to our potential tonight but everybody contributed to the win,” Heffern said. “We need to take this and move forward as we get ready for the next game.”
Ryan Latta doubled for Iola. Hitting a single each were Chris Heffern, Sigg, Frazell, Taylor, Coons and Clint Heffern.
“We did what we needed to do. We had a 10-day layoff and you could tell but we played pretty well,” said Percy. “We just have to throw more strikes and not walk as many batters.
“We were putting the ball in play at the plate and making them (the Buffalos) make plays. We were able to take advantage of several mistakes they had defensively.”
Now, the Mustangs wait to see if it’s Spring Hill or Ottawa. Those teams play tonight.
Percy said Sigg will get the start in the regional semifinal game Wednesday.
“We’ll pitch everybody we need to to get to the championship game and again in that championship game,” Percy said.
Big innings boost Mustangs in regional win
