AA State Legion Tourney (Field in Pratt -- pic by Rainbow NEK crew)

Iola held on to beat Sabetha 5-4.  Taylor Bauman pitched for Sabetha in the top of the 7th inning and got three outs then Sabetha got a one out double by Mackenzie McAfee in the bottom of the 7th the tying run was left in scoring position. Sabetha will now play the winner of a Hays TMP and Rock Creek around 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

In Friday nights winners bracket final, Mother Nature prevailed over both Iola and Sabetha as the contest was suspended and postponed to Saturday morning with Iola leading 5-4 going into the 7th inning. 

In was another great game for the only undefeated clubs left at the AA State Tournament in Pratt as Iola had a 2-0 lead after the top of the third only to give up the lead in the bottom of the inning.  Sabetha scored three runs on three straight hits to take a 3-2 lead.  Yet, Iola answered with a pair in the top of the fourth to go ahead 4-3 and Sabetha responded with a tally to tie the game 4-4 after four innings. 

The difference in the game (Thus far) was the top of the sixth inning when Iola had runners on the corners and got caught in a run-down on a delayed steal from first and then after distracting Sabetha, stole home from third to go up 5-4 without a hit in the inning.  Sabetha was retired in order in the fifth and sixth innings by Iola starter Mason Coons who allowed just four runs on as many hits over six innings and 101 pitches. 

Blake Popkess started and tossed all six frames for Sabetha and hadn't walked a batter until two free passes in the sixth lead to the go-ahead run.  Tyler Clubine, Iola's ninth hitter, had a pair of doubles including 2 RBI on his hit in the fourth to put Iola back ahead 4-3.  Sabetha scored three of their four runs on guys that were walked on base.  In the third inning, Kyle Stallabumer singled to load the bases with one-out and Taylor Bauman followed with an RBI single before Nolan Keim added a two-run double that gave Sabetha a brief 3-2 advantage.  McKenzie McAfee had the RBI hit in the fourth to make it 4-4.  

Thaine Allen scored his seventh run of the state tournament while Keim delivered his fifth hit in three games and now has seven total RBI.

Strong winds, followed by nickel size hail and then rains halted the game before the seventh inning.  After a 75 minute delay, the teams were on the field and it was deemed playable; however, everyone stood around for 15 minutes while the lightning never quit and then the second round of storms pounded down at the Green Sports Complex in Pratt.  The night was over for legion baseball with four teams still alive.  Earlier in the day, Rock Creek sent Concordia packing with a 5-0 win and also winning a second straight elimination game was Hays TMP as they eliminated Ellis 6-5.  

So, the temporary game plan for Saturday is to play the final inning of Sabetha and Iola (with the top of the order due up for both teams) around 1:00 PM.  The winner advances to the championship game, while the loser will play around 4:00 against the winner of the post-poned Rock Creek versus Hays TMP contest.  There is a possible championship game slated for Saturday evening around 6:30 PM, all weather and field permitting.  

Live coverage of Sabetha's final inning against Iola and their next game Saturday will be broadcast live on KNZA 103.9 FM and online at www.mscsports.net