The Iola Mustangs moved their win streak to four games after sweeping the Anderson County Bulldogs 4-1 and 11-10 during Tuesday’s relocated contest.
With rain and recent tornadoes forcing the game to relocate to ACC’S Alumni Park, the Mustangs had home field advantage, but that advantage was tested as they worked to hold on for the win in the nightcap.
“We’ve been taking care of business in Game 1, but we’re making our Game 2s way too difficult,” Iola coach Lake Johnson said. “We’re definitely learning some things there. It’s good to come out of it with a win.”
With junior pitcher Jase Herrmann striking out six batters in a complete-game effort for the opener, Iola did not need much offense to pull out their first win.
Allowing seven hits and just one run, Herrmann credited Iola’s defense for having his back.
“I knew our defense was going to help me out,” Herrmann said. “I just had to go out there and get some outs. We hit the ball well, but errors set us apart. We should have beat them by more.”Senior catcher Tre Wilson was perfect in the batter’s box with a team-leading three hits in three at-bats.
His first at-bat may have been his most important. Wilson’s over-the-fence solo home run gave Iola an early lead and spark of energy.
Junior third baseman Austin Crooks added another run in the third inning with an RBI single, then sophomore outfielder Reed Clift gave the Mustangs a 3-0 advantage after plating Crooks with an RBI double.
“In the second game, I hit the ball better. I ended up switching bats and it helped me,” said Crooks, who tied for the team lead in RBIs in the opener, and drove in two more in the finale while successful in 3 of 4 at-bats.
Jase Herrmann, Iola junior pitcher, throws a strike while tallying six strikeouts in the opener of Monday’s doubleheader against Pioneer League foe Anderson County.
A Herrmann single in the seventh inning added an insurance run. Moments later, he forced a pair of popouts and a groundout to senior shortstop Nick Bauer to secure the win.
In the nightcap, instead of a pitching showcase the Mustangs and Bulldogs tried to one-up each other in the batter’s box with a combined 21 runs off 19 hits. A Wilson RBI grounder in the seventh inning provided a five-run cushion for the Mustangs, which Anderson County nearly overcame before a grounder to junior second baseman Brock Michael halted the Bulldog rally.
Crooks and Wilson each had a pair of RBIs.
Crooks also had three hits and Wilson had two. Wilson also tied Crooks in strikeouts with one each before Bauer came in to close the game in the seventh inning.
Tuesday’s sweep improved the Mustangs’ record to 7-3 overall and 4-2 in Pioneer League play.
Coach Johnson feels Friday’s doubleheader against perennial powerhouse Girard will be a litmus test for where they must improve.
“Girard is undefeated. It will be good to see how we match up with them,” Johnson said. “We’ll see what we need to work on, and how we stand against one of the best teams in the state.”
