A recent road trip for the American Legion Post 15 17U Indians was not as fruitful as they hoped after a 3-1, 8-2 sweep by El Dorado Post 81.
The Indians’ rally fell short in the opener. El Dorado jumped out to an early lead after scoring in the opening frame, then holding the Indians scoreless until the sixth inning, when third baseman Thomas Allee drove in Post 15’s only run with a blooper to center field.
Although the Indians’ offense failed to produce in the opener, their pitching was on point. Austin Crooks posted nine strikeouts over six innings, then reliever Ty Shaughnessy picked up a trio of strikeouts in his only inning on the mound.
Outfielder Kale Pratt, first baseman Roy Gordon, Allee, catcher Brock Michael and outfielder Broderick Peters tied for the team lead in hits with one each.
The Indians got the bats going a bit earlier in the finale, but a six-run seventh inning by El Dorado made all the difference and secured Monday’s sweep. Post 15 jumped out to an early lead on a bases-loaded walk, then Pratt tied the game in the sixth, 2-2, after stealing home but El Dorado put the game away with six runs in the sixth inning, giving the Indians their third consecutive loss.
Pratt took the loss despite tying Michael in strikeouts with four each. Pratt also had a team-leading two hits while successful in 2 of 3 at-bats.
Iola Post 15U suffers sweep from Chanute
The American Legion Post 15 15U Indians continue to look for their first win following Monday’s 16-1, 20-7 sweep by Chanute Monday.
The Indians kept it close in the opener, but a 13-run third inning halted the game before the fourth as Chanute picked up the 16-1 mercy rule. Starting pitcher Braylon Keithy took the loss despite giving up only three earned runs and three hits while picking up a strikeout. Post 15 briefly led following a bases-loaded walk in the opening frame, but Chanute plated 16 unanswered runs to come away with the victory.
Outfielders Kole Walter and Lukas Blaufuss tied for the team lead in hits with one each.
Post 15 experienced a bit of an uptick in offense during the finale, but the result ultimately remained the same with a 20-7 loss.
Keithly put the Indians on the scoreboard after scoring on a passed ball, then catcher Lane Lord’s hard chopper added another run on an infield error.
A 10-run second inning put Chanute in control. Post 15 chipped away at Chanute’s lead with pinch-runner Andrew Donavon and shortstop Milo Franklin scoring on wild pitches. Trying to stave off a fifth-inning mercy rule, Lord plated a runner on a line-drive single.
Franklin reached home on a Will Disbrow dropped third strike and Lord later scored on another passed ball, but that is as close to victory as the Indians would get.
Lord and Disbrow tied for the team lead in RBIs with one each. Franklin had a team high two hits while successful in 2 of 3 at-bats.
Walter took the loss while tallying Post 15’s only strikeout and allowing six runs.
