OVERBROOK — Ethan Tavarez hadn’t seen any in-game pitching opportunities in the last month with his last action being at Anderson County on April 11, but the rust didn’t show in Iola’s 10-0 five-inning victory at Santa Fe Trail.
“With all the rain, we have been throwing indoors so it is a lot different from out here,” Tavarez said. “I had to readjust, but towards the end of the game, I thought I was throwing better and harder.”
Tavarez pitched a complete-game shutout while allowing three hits and one walk with 11 strikeouts.
“It was big,” Iola coach Mark Percy said. “We haven’t been able to throw anybody because we have been getting complete games, so being able to throw (Tavarez) was huge.”
The junior also was the team’s top offensive weapon in the opener.
He opened the scoring in the first inning with a two-run, two-out double to score freshman Calvin Delich and sophomore Derek Bycroft.
The Mustangs piled on in the second inning when junior Isaac Vink, sophomore Blake Ashmore, Delich and Bycroft had four consecutive hits to leadoff the inning and build the lead to 4-0.
Tavarez made it 5-0 with a lead-off home run in the third inning.
“First home run since coach-pitch, when I was six or seven,” Tavarez said. “I thought I popped it up left and as soon as I touched first, I saw it drop. I didn’t think it was over the fence so I started to sprint until I heard everyone yelling that it was a home run. I was pretty happy by the time I touched second.”
The Mustangs put the game away with a five-run fifth inning to run-rule the Chargers.
Coleson Wiggin, Vink and Ashmore each had doubles in the inning.
Tavarez, Delich, Wiggin, Vink and Ashmore each finished with two hits as eight of the Mustang batters reached base at least twice.
“One-through-nine, we all hit the ball well,” Iola freshman Cal Leonard said. “It has been working out well the last couple games.”
GAME TWO
Tavarez had another strong offensive game to help out senior pitcher Ben Cooper.
Tavarez opened the scoring in the second inning with another two-run double that plated Leonard and junior Kane Rogers.
Santa Fe Trail found a way to get on the scoreboard in the second inning and cut the margin to 2-1.
The Mustangs upped the lead back to two runs in the second inning with a single by Leonard scoring Bycroft with two outs.
The Chargers thought they were out of the inning when Bycroft appeared to be picked off of first, but Bycroft turned the play into a rundown and eventually made contact with a Charger fielder. After the play, the umpires ruled defensive interference and allowed Bycroft to advance to second for Leonard to drive him in.
“Instead of just standing there and getting tagged, he got into the rundown which we talk about doing all the time,” Percy said.
The Chargers scored an unearned run in the seventh inning, but Cooper was able to strand the game-tying run at third.
Cooper finished the game with one earned run allow on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
“He really only gave up one run,” Percy said. “At the end of the game, we threw it around and gave up another one.
“I thought his changeup was his best pitch tonight. Some of them got hit, but they weren’t hit well. They were hit off the end of the bat and popped up.”
Leonard led the team with two hits after he has moved up to the clean-up spot in the order.
“I am getting more comfortable,” Leonard said. “I’m striding out and making great contact. It feels good.”
Iola will now carry a six-game winning streak into the regional tournament next week in Osawatomie.
“It is very exciting,” Leonard said. “I can’t wait to get to the next game.”
Tavarez has been to state as a freshman, but this year, he hopes to return to actually get the chance to play in the big tournament.
“Being a freshman and going to state was fun, but I didn’t get to play,” Tavarez said. “Being able to play this year would be a great opportunity.”
BYCROFT INJURY
The Mustangs held out Bycroft, their ace pitcher, with arm soreness. Percy said the move was precautionary and he expects to have Bycroft able to pitch in regionals.
“Derek’s arm is alright, at least he said it is,” Percy said. “But we didn’t want to mess with him.”
Bycroft started both games at third base.
Tavarez is ready to step up if Bycroft is unavailable for next week’s games.
“I am looking to me and Ben to be able to lead us with our pitching and hitting,” Tavarez said.
TAILS NEVER FAILS
Osawatomie and Iola tied for the lead in the regional standings and split the season series, so the top seed in the regional tournament was determined by a coin flip on Tuesday night between the athletic directors.
Osawatomie correctly called tails, so Iola will be the No. 2 seed and face Prairie View in the semifinals in Osawatomie on Tuesday at 2 p.m.
If Bycroft is healthy, Cooper will likely get the start. Cooper pitched a three-hitter for a 1-0 win over the Buffalos earlier this season.
Bycroft would be lined up for the championship game start against Osawatomie, potentially. Bycroft threw a no-hitter in the Mustangs’ 2-0 win over the Trojans earlier this season.
