The Iola American Legion Indians 15U Baseball Team snapped a four-game losing streak thanks in part to Mother Nature Thursday.
After falling to the Neodesha Predators 12-1 in the opener, the Indians jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but umpires called off the game after seeing potentially dangerous storms nearing the Humboldt Sports Complex.
“A lot of it was their mindset. They started the first game decent,” Coach Trey Sommer said. “Then, they let it go south and spiral. If we keep that same mindset, them knowing they can play and compete, then they will be fine.”
In the opener, the Indians held their own early. Neodesha jumped out to an early 4-0 lead. Post 15 narrowed the lead to 4-1 after infielder Milo Franklin plated outfielder Layne Lord with an RBI single. Franklin ended the game with a team-leading two hits while perfect in 2 of 2 at-bats.
After building a bit of momentum, game officials requested a 30-minute delay due to storm clouds.
Once play resumed, Post 15 pitchers struggled to find their location. Taking advantage, Fredonia further riled up the infield with aggressive base-running, scoring on multiple infield errors as a result. Despite taking the loss, pitchers Andrew Donovan and Ty Wrestler combined for five strikeouts.
In game 2, “The energy level was way better,” said Coach Korbin Cloud. “A lot of it is getting them to believe.”
IN GAME 2, the Indians went on the attack. Post 15 jumped out to an early lead after Lord capitalized on Fredonia’s infield error to reach home on an error. Lord tied starter Braylon Keithly for the team lead in strikeouts with one each but had to stop there as storm clouds rolled in once again and forced umpires to call off the contest.
“I don’t know how it’s going to go down (in the record book). We like to tell them they got a win. It gives a confidence boost and that’s all that matters,” Sommer said. “If we start our next game the way we did tonight, then we’ll be fine.
With the win, the Indians improve to 2-8 and hope to add a few more victories in the win column when they return to the diamond Monday for a game in Emporia against the Midwest Elite.
